Merry Merry in Malaysia: Light and Bright!!

Last Published Dec 25, 2018

Here is is....so you can see the commercialisation of Jesus's Birthday around the world...

But I must say I enjoy Christmas songs....hope you do too... 

First published on December 11, 2012, here it is again to give a view of Christmas from a  place not really associated with Christmas. I see it as not a cultural spread, but 'imperialism'. Imposing a certain way of life on people.  Good for countries where they do not have Sundays off, but other days. Sunday as a free day is a Christian notion.  In another post, I will write about the interest and rise in religions before Christianity all over the world. Especially the western world.  And as we know, the whole world tries to copy them..ha, ha.....

I used to celebrate this day like any of Hindu holidays with lights, cakes and even trees and decorations.  Sported my own Santa Hat!!  Played Handel's Messiah all day long...But over the years, as I have seen this rigid way of thinking of this religion, where everything is made up....starting from how Jesus is shown to look, and how it works on making people hate their own cultures (Fiji, Botswana, many other African and pacific nation, swear by 'being a christian' while downplaying their own nature friendly religions which would have been naturally eco-friendly. )--my enthusiasm for this holiday has reduced. 

Even then, I send wishes to those who celebrate, and remind them that we are actually celebrating 'light' return of light. Its after winter solstice and the days will be getting longer (the same reason Christmas makes little sense in souther hemisphere.  It is middle eastern faith that mapped its ideas onto pre-existing faiths and forced the rest of the world to borrow it).

Anyway, have a great day, and will try to write one more time before end of the year....

In December of 2006, I decided to visit an old friend and a see a country that I heard so much about.  Malaysia.  I had just converted to travel, as I was trying to maintain my previous religion....Jedi.  Trying to combine the two was not that difficult. Here is the gist of Jedi beliefs.  

Jedi Religious Faith

There is one all powerful force that binds all things in the universe together. The Jedi religion is something innate inside everyone of us, the Jedi Church believes that our sense of morality is innate. So quiet your mind and listen to the force within you!

Well, a traveler sees the differences as superficial.  While enjoying the differences, a good, seasoned traveller starts to notice patterns, in human behaviors, rhymes and reasons for why people choose to do things, and motivations for most of human action can be summed up in few words...often just one... love.  

 In this case I think the love is just of 'celebration'.  All celebrations around the world are celebrated with 'light'.  Be it candles, lamps, electric lights, flickering lights, shimmering lights--but lights.  

Light!!  And I was surprised to see an exuberant celebration of christmas in a Muslim nation.  All the talk of commercialism apart (despite it being credible) there is something about the songs, and lights, and christmas trees that makes our heart sing.

I know we forget that we are celebrating the birth of spirituality (as Jesus), we are supposed to focus on a pure heart, we are supposed to ask ourselves not what presents we get but what are we giving, but may be, may be, music, light and joy are just a beginning --a jumpstart if you will.....or may be setting the mood--to go into that calm place where simplicity and quietness reside.

From my experience we can never get to that quiet without either intense pain or intense joy.  Since most people flee from pain, then intense 'joy' or cheer becomes the goal of every holiday in every country.  But specifically with festivals to do with 'light' such as Christmas, lights are used to create that mood of cheer.  

And a hope that in that we will all unite--in the brightness of ‘light’!!

Here are some pictures from 2006 in Malaysia. 

I was living Fiji then, and so this image of snowflake, something I knew too well from my Pennsylvania Days brought back so many memories!!

Decorated Cheerful Christmas Tree in a mall in Malaysia, 2006. 

Christmas decorations and a dressed up sales woman at a Mall in Malaysia!!, 2006. 

Sometimes we get too political, and sometimes too critical. I know it has its value, I know it is needed, but we must also recognize times, when a celebration is just a celebration, and acknowledge that people around the world recognized that and created something for us to celebrate, change of seasons, darkness of winter and long days of summer...so we will always have a reason to be joyful and grateful....!!

The following videos were all taken in and around the mall.  The center of commercialism and centers of public life in a world, where we remain separated.  In a mall, mostly there is no place for negotiation, no place for argument, prices are fixed, and we must ....oh stop....no critical thinking...enjoy....!!

Jedi Religious Faith

Finns här några snälla barn? Are there any nice children here?

From earlier this year, published on Jan 31, 2020.....back here with some memories of christmas, 

Bing bong, bing bong, bing bong, bing bong

Ute faller snö
I splittan blacken stå
Och äter lugnt sitt hö
När ljudet honom når

Att selen lyftes ner
Och framför släden snart
Med oss han sedan sig beger
I väg med väldig fart!

Bjällerklang, bjällerklang
Hör dess dingle-dång
Flingor som nu virvlar
Om i munter vintersång

Bing bong, bing bong, bing bong, bing bong
Snow is falling outside
In the split black stand
And quietly eats his hay
When the sound reaches him

That the harness is lifted down
And in front of the sled soon
With us he then turns
Get away with great speed!

Bell ringing, bell ringing
Hear its dangling bang
Flakes now swirling
If in cheerful winter song

oh..


So this is a common poem sung/recited around Christmas in Sweden. 

One of the unique things that you notice in Sweden about Christmas time is that Santa is NOT red!!  They come in all colors, even red, but mostly NOT red.  You see them in grey, green, brown!! And some red.  They say that red santa is courtesy cocacola! 

The grey Santa Claus, is more reflective of colors used originally in Sweden.  But also because he was actually NOT santa claus.  He is Tomte.  Which does not mean Santa Claus.  In fact, the word Jul, which is used for Christmas does not mean Christmas.  Both these words pre-date Christianity.  Jul is the celebration time during the darkest of winters, and with Christianity was replaced with Christmas and a Christmas tree. 

So here is definition of Tomte from the internet: 

Tomte (Swedish) or Tonttu (Finnish, also called Nisse in Norway) are solitary, mischievous domestic spirits, responsible for the protection and welfare of a farmstead and its buildings.Tomte literally means 'homestead man' and is derived from the word 'tomt' which means homestead or building. Tomtratt: is also used to imply a 'plot' as in a piece of land on which the house is build.  Tomte, therefore were guards, but sometimes trouble makers.  And Tomte is not a friendly person.  

Btw, Nisse, in Swedish is used for helpers, or elves during Christmas. 

So since Tomte is not a nice person, children are afraid of him and he usually comes Christmas eve, the day Swedes celebrate Christmas and says: Finns här några snälla barn?  Aree there any nice children here.  Which is the same as, 'have you been good? If you have been good, you will get gifts this year'.  So I have a special affection for the Tomte!!

My first Christmas in Sweden, I had an interesting experience.  I was wearing a red parka and on purpose had worn a red and white hat. Not really a Santa hat, although I own one. But a red and white hat. I was walking by a primary school in my neighbourhood when a young girl ran after me, 'Ar du tometen?"  are you the Tomte, she asked. Then she requested some gifts. I was touched and felt so bad, as I shook my head. But I decided to get her something.

I found out after asking her name that her parents were from Syria and she was a muslim. So you can imagine, muslim children wanting gifts, like the christian kids.  I ran back to the store and bought a huge bag filled with little chocolates thinking that is an appropriate gift, and that no one will oppose that.  By the time I came her teachers had taken her inside and I was not allowed to talk to the children.  I might have written this incident somewhere else on the blog.  At least this is how I remember it.

Following (and above) photographs are from a Varandra hem, a hostel that I have been visiting in another town to complete a statistics course. See how nicely  they have decorated the place for Christmas. 

HERE ARE SOME images from the varandrahem (hostel or a common boarding place) that I have bene staying as I take this statistics class. I love it.  It feels like I have two homes. I move between my town and this place, where I get a room with twin beds. There is no attached bathroom, just a window with view of the street. Nothing spectacular.  But it feels great. I have learnt so much with this. 

I reduced the amount of things I carry with me.  A few t-shirts but only one sweater.  just one, often beige or dull colours, so they are not noticeable.  Meaning I wear them for four straight days.  However, I carry four thick books. a journal and sometimes two cameras. 

Alexandra, one of the hostel caretakers, (the other is Felicia) setting up Christmas decorations. 

Already shrinking of snow at the train station.  Have visited the train station so much this past semester.  But we did not have a white Christmas. 

Sweden's creativity!! Its all done from foliage specially prepared for this season.  It might actually be artificial.  Not sure, since it becomes stiff after whatever they spray on it. 

The display at Goteborg train station. See the simplicity--- see how it comes alive, no faces, no fancy stuff. Simple, Sweet, Spectacular, Swedish!!

Santa Lucia: Saint of Light (Twelve Days to Christmas)

So since there is no concert this year...here is to 12 days till Christmas....Happy Santa Lucia...

Published last year on December 13....a year later,....just a reminder that despite the darkness....we always have the light within. 

For some reason, I get really really excited around Santa Lucia. The last two weeks of extreme darkness and then light and light and light and light. Ok, so we do not notice it until say March, but oh my God, this week is simply hope incarnate!!

Last Published on December 13, 2018--this is an old post--and one of the popular ones. The first ten pictures are new.  From 2018's concert. 

HERE WE GO---

December 13, 2018--And this needs to be published again, as it is little past 8 am, and I just returned from the concert!!  Yeah, Made it..another post with new pictures (hopefully) coming soon!!

The stage is set for ladies of the light to come and sing and call in the light!

Santa Lucia herself. One girl is dressed like the saint with a crown of candles on her head.  While young children wear the ones with bulbs, older ones still wear a crown with real candles. That is how it was done in the olden times. 

Here click on this one to watch one of the most popular vlogs from Sweden. I love this girl's vlogs. Here she does a 'Santa Lucia'. You can see how harsh and yet beautiful it can be up north.  Watch how she creates beauty out of darkness.

In the middle of the singing there is a poem that is read --it describes the darkness and how it feels during this time.  Recitation is alive and animated. 

Tomten (click here to listen)

Snön ligger vit på taken

The Santa

The snow is white on the roof (Click here to get a visual, especially you warm country folks)

Images from the concert 

People leaving after the concert

Here is a MA student from Germany, who participated in the choir.  

Here is B again, with lusse bullar and candles in her hand and notice the light behind her. It was pitch dark when we went in.  After the concert the light is slowly coming up and it truly feels like the light has arrived. Even though it will be another two months before one notices sit. 

People after the concert enjoying the treat and what do we get at this time of the year?

Lussebullar, light buns, or saffron buns, and coffee and glögg, mulled wine. Oh yes, ginger bread cookies, called Pepperkakor are a staple at the time of the year. 

Light is here....at least the hint of it...and it will only grow from here...

FROM HERE FOLLOWS THE OLD BLOG. 

Today, Santa Lucia. Woke up at 5:00, like usual. But today, there was another goal, to reach the auditorium before Lucia celebrations began. So early was I that I had to wait an hour before it started. In that, I stole an hour of stillness, that I never manage. It is indeed Lucia...the light has come, when we begin to be still and notice the light within.

First published on December 20, 2014, This needs to be republished.  Published second time in December 13 of 2017---this is this posts third incarnation....new and improved, jag hoppas (I hope!!)

It is December 13th, 2017, and as every year, Swedes celebrated Santa Lucia.  Other posts about the same are here and here and here.  And a video from 2012.  I so bad wanted to attend, I think I attended it two years ago, on 2015.  But last year as this year, I could not make.  Woke up about 4 times during the night, because I did not want to miss the celebrations, which starts at 8 am.  The most beautiful part about this celebration is that you trudge through the snow, while it is still dark. At the university the doors close at 7:40 am, the auditorium is already full by then, and no one is allowed to enter after that.  Beautiful maidens in white and red, with candles in their hand and on their head walk in, singing like angels.  Beautiful stories are told, songs are sung.  When we come out around 8:45, the day, no matter how dull, has come up.  And we are served glögg (mulled wine) and pepper major *(ginger snaps) and lussekatt (saffron buns).  It the most uplifting feeling, to be woken up, after having sleepily walked to the hall, by heavenly voices and then to be amidst these lovely maidens dressed in white and red with tinsel in their hair, and sometimes blown out candles in their hands.  To warm up your hands on mulled wine, to let a saffron bun or an ultra fine swedish ginger cookie (they truly are ultra fine) melt in your mouth---and realize that a new day is up!! And that, you were brought into light from the darkness, through beautiful heart warming music and mouth watering snacks!!

A screen shot of Lucia Celebrations at Hagakyrkan (Haga Church) in Göteberg, Sweden 2014

Click here for a Lucia Concert From SVT, Swedish Public Television

Among many special traditions in Sweden is Santa Lucia, usually celebrated on 13^th of December.  Lucia day, nearly two weeks after advent and twelve days before the Christmas day, is a reminder that the big day is not far.  By this time Christmas decorations are up, and many departmental Christmas parties have already been set up, menus finalized, holidays and family visits arranged.  Advent calendars are all sold out, Santas are sitting in the malls and there is the general holiday cheer all around.

But more than just what you see, in Sweden, it is what you hear and eat that is also associated with Lucia.  There is music, there are Lucia concerts in every school and every church, and then there are crisp pappor kakor, and Saffron buns (Ljus Bullar—light buns).  

Santa Lucia is also described as a traditional Neapolitan song sung in Neapolitcan language, which is originally Italian, as is the concept of St. Lucia.  Whlie it might have been borrowed from Italy, the song is definitely more applicable in Sweden.  Mid-December is the darkest time in Sweden, and this festival with heart warming music, candles and anticipation for Christmas cuts through the darkness and brings people for yet another celebration.  Most Santa Lucia concerts take place as early as 7 am.  Having attended them twice I can say that there is some rustic beauty to the whole thing.  You trudge through snow and darkness as early as 6 am to reach the church/schools/auditoriums and find your seats.  After a concert, which can last about an hour, and includes readings of poems, there is a small ‘fika’ –with special cookies and drinks.  By the time it ends, the day is up and people get to their work. So in a sense it feels like it Lucia who brought us light that morning.

Although not that common in the US anymore, Lucia many popular singers have sung the song—including Elvis (1965album Elvis for Everyone).  In Scandinavia (wiki) Lucia has been modified to incorporate the winter-light festival of the darkest time of the year---Santa Lucia.  But, come to think about it--it is celebrated in songs like '12 days to Christmas'

Strangely enough the concept is also part of the anthem of a Thai Univeristy (Silpakorn Niyom) since its founder was Italian. 

However, my favorite part of Santa Lucia is still the concept, the same as Hannukah, Kwanza, Christmas, Diwali or Id—Light wins over Dark, and it is light that is worth talking about, and that is worth celebrating.

We know that the two exist in conjunction but may be if we focus on light, the darkness will melt away—and Light will light our thoughts, feelings and actions.

And around this time ads and posters come up reminding us to buy things such as Julmust, PepparKakor (gingerbread cookies) and Glogg (mulled wine)!!

Voulez Vous--and the Nobel Goes To...!!

So believe it or not, it was reposted 3 years ago on December 28, 2017.  But it is relevant today.

And so no  harm in reading again....

First published on December 28, 2012, I am republishing this keeping with the theme of Nobel and prizes--and December of course--and not to forget that I am still aiming for 52 posts before the year end...here is an 'encore' --well, sort of .....

PS: I do understand more Swedish now than I did when the post was written....five years ago---wow!! 

Above pictures were taken from the internet.  More pictures may be seen by clicking here. 

I often forget I am living in the country that bestows the Nobel Prize (except the Nobel Peace prize which is conferred by Norway). 

I missed the ceremony the last two years.  And so was committed to watching it this year.

But ofcourse, I forgot again!!

And I was so lucky that I turned on the Tv on just the right day...accidentally.   When saw live commentary in Swedish over images of people dressed in tux and gowns....I knew i needed to get my blanket, a cup of glögg (mulled wine, an apt drink at this time of the year.  By the way, to those concerned the alcohol level in glögg (pronounced ‘glug’), is less than 2%, which makes it less intoxicating than cough syrup....ahem, ahem...),

But sadly enough after a about ten minutes I had to move away.  Not because I was not interested, but  because the commentary was in Swedish and I understood every tenth sentence.  Secondly, because i had much work to do.

I did pay attention to what the commentators were talking about.  The guests, nominees and menu.  So in many ways the ceremony is more classy than the Oscars, where red carpet is all about ‘which designer are you wearing’.  

I tried to research information on my computer as I watched the ceremony.  Thankfully, many nominees are American so they speak English...ha, ha...

I enjoyed the interviews.  I researched the Laureate for literature, who happens to be from China this year.

Here is what the official website states about him...

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2012 was awarded to Mo Yan "who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary”.

Just that makes you want to read his writings.

As I was watching it, I realized that they never televised this ceremony in the US.  What with Oscars, and Emmys and Tonys and Grammys, and VH awards, and many other mindless ones created to constantly honor those who are always in the limelight anyway, where is the room to televise Nobel Prize Ceremony!!

Having thought that, I myself got busy organizing my place.  But kept my television on for the background sound.

And then I heard something that made me realize another fact that I keep forgetting...


The dance number came on....Voulez Vouz...

Ah, not only am I living in the country that bestows the Nobel Prize, but also the country that gave the world ABBA!! 

And I stood in front of television, wrapped in my fleece jacket, with a broom in one hand  and a dustpan in another.  Smiling as broadly as I could.

I smiled when they showed overhead shots of heads of state and royalty from all over Europe gliding on the floor to the seventies number.

There were close ups of food being served. Something I have noticed is a tradition in Sweden.  Whenever we eat at formal places, the chef comes and lists all the goodies being served and explains the delicacy in detail.  I understand only a little ----but now I do expect the cook to show up and list the dishes on the menu.

Isn’t Nobel Prize Ceremony more important than the Oscars, I thought?  (Although I love watching the Oscars?) (PS: I do think that good story told, that becomes a part of our mythology, and gets retold for generations, is as important as finding a cure.  Stories do heal, just as medicine does, if not better.   )

I put that question to my students the next day (Isn’t Nobel Prize Ceremony more important than the Oscars, I thought?).

*Naah....’ wrinkled the young man in my class.

I had to giggle....young people, they are the same everywhere....

And in some ways those who care about awards, may vary in their tastes....but they are all waiting to hear......And the award goes to........