Mother's Day: a global passport to celebrating the women who gave us life, love, and the occasional eye-roll-worthy advice. Although the heartfelt desire to show love to mothers is the same everywhere, the ways of celebrating and even the dates around the world differ. In many countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on different dates and is often associated with various historical, cultural, or religious traditions.
The primal role of a mother is nurturing, feeding, and ensuring that
children survive, grow, and live their lives. So, it's no wonder that
celebrating motherhood is so closely connected to eating and, on the
other hand, expressing gratitude from the children. Let's take a look at some interesting examples that show how diverse Mother's Day celebrations are around the world.
In the United States, the celebration of Mother's Day as an official holiday was established in the early 20th century, thanks to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, and it is celebrated every second Sunday in May. Her mother had frequently expressed a desire to establish such a holiday, and after her mother's death, Jarvis led the movement for the commemoration. However, as the years passed, Jarvis grew disenchanted with the growing commercialization of the observation (she herself did not profit from the day) and even attempted to have Mother's Day rescinded. This American tradition has influenced many other countries that have adopted celebrating Mother's Day in May. In America, Mother's Day is it's a Hallmark holiday on steroids. Kids of all ages become breakfast
chefs, resulting in an unusual number of kitchen fires nationwide.
Flowers are bought en masse, making you wonder if florists secretly run
the world. And let's not forget the homemade coupons for "free hugs" ?
because nothing says "I love you" like a voucher promising basic
affection.
Let's hop over to Japan, where Mother's Day is a blooming event that is also celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Carnations are the star of the celebration, symbolizing the sweetness and endurance of motherhood. Children roll up their sleeves to prepare a home-cooked meal, which often results in a culinary adventure that is both heartfelt and hazardous for digestion.
Jumping over to the United Kingdom and "Mothering Sunday," which sounds like a gentle reminder for moms to wear their best clothes since tradition dictates visiting the "mother church." Mother's Day in the United Kingdom is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in March. However, the tradition has also evolved here into showering moms with flowers, gifts, and almost obligatory Simnel cake, which is a lighter relative of fruitcake and promises the arrival of spring. On this day, families usually take time for a shared lunch or outing.
In Mexico, Mother's Day is celebrated on May 10th and is a true fiesta. Mariachi bands sing "Las Ma?anitas" to moms, and families prepare lavish dinners. It is one of the busiest days in restaurants, indicating that nothing expresses gratitude more than relieving mom from cooking duties on this day.
Let's not forget Ethiopia, where Mother's Day begins at the end of the rainy season as part of the Antrosht festival, corresponding to approximately December 16th in the Gregorian calendar. These celebrations include several days of feasting, singing, and dancing. Families come together for a hearty meal, which includes dishes like Doro Wat, a spicy chicken stew that is as complex and rich as motherhood itself.
In Serbia, Mother's Day is part of a trilogy of family holidays in December. It starts with Children's Day, followed by Mother's Day, and ends with Father's Day. On Mother's Day, children tie their mothers' feet with scarves or ribbons and demand a ransom in the form of snacks or small gifts. It's all in good fun and symbolizes a deep bond and playful love between mothers and their children.
In Slovenia, we celebrate Mother's Day on March 25th. The date comes from Christian tradition, as it is the day when the Virgin Mary found out that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ. Celebrations usually include giving mothers gifts, flowers, cards, and other attentions and expressing love and gratitude.
It's important to note that not all relationships between mothers and children are idyllic. Among us are people who may not have mothers or have no contact with them for various reasons, and there are also mothers without children... The biological role is not as important as the emotional one. Individuals who play these nurturing roles in our lives, filling us with love and coloring our lives with tenderness and a sense of belonging, are important.
One of the most beautiful quotes about motherhood was written by the
poet Nayyirah Waheed ? 'My mother was my first country, the first place I
ever lived.
Mother's Day around the world showcases the many ways to celebrate the women who raised us. It's a day of gratitude and love like no other. And sometimes, it's also a reminder that no matter where we wander in the world, mothers have the ability to know everything about us, even when they're not around. So, let's celebrate moms and express gratitude for all the laughter, lessons, and love they give us. Not just that one day a year, but whenever we have the chance.
Bojana
Photo via Pixabay
