Asian Traditions That Have Survived 100s of Years

May 6, 2021

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, inspiration, representation, traditions

Zoe loves highlighting different cultures and what truly makes them unique. The Asian community is diverse and rich with culture and traditions. Here are some Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese traditions.

Korean- Baek-il

Baek-il is the celebration on the 100th day after a child is born. Years ago, in Korea, childhood diseases and the infant mortality rate were high. The high death rate was due to a lack of medical information, Korea's weather conditions, and many other childhood-related diseases. Parents did not take their children out of the house until 100 days after they were born to protect their children. On the 100th day, the family will celebrate, pray and eat food. Food such as rice, rice cakes, sea mustard soup, and wine are honored and used in this celebration. Today the healthcare system is more advanced, but parents still celebrate the holiday as a time of congratulations for the family.

Filipino- Pagmamano (Mano Po)

Instead of Filipino children greeting parents and grandparents with hugs and kisses, they tak e their elders’ hands and place them on their foreheads. This gesture is known as Pagmamano, which is an act of respect done to the elders. Filipino’s would say “Mano Po'' to ask for the elder’s hand. They also do this to receive an elder’s blessing. There is high respect for elders in Filipino culture, and pagmamano is just one form of expressing their gratitude and honor.

(Source: Medium)

Japanese- Oshichiya

On the seventh night after the baby’s birth, the parents reveal the baby’s name officially to the family. The father will draw the baby’s name and birthday on a white sheet of paper in Japanese calligraphy and post it on the wall. That same day the family celebrates with dinner as this is the first celebration of the baby’s life after it has been born.

Indian- Holi

Holi is India’s most vivid, joyous festival, known as the festival of colors. Holi marks the beginning of spring and is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated in March according to the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. The day before Holi, pyres are lit to symbolize the burning of evil spirits by throwing wood into bonfires. On the day of Holi, the streets and towns are red, green, yellow as people throw colored powder into the air and then splash the colored powder and water on each other in celebration.

(Source: Medium)

Chinese - Tea Ceremony

Chinese tea culture is imperative because tea production has impacted their economic development while tea consumption is an everyday practice. The main varieties of Chinese tea are white tea, black tea, green tea, dark tea, and yellow tea. They drink tea to quench their thirst, but they have tea tasting, tea art, and tea lore. Tea art is when while drinking, the attention is focused on the environment, music, interpersonal relationships, atmosphere, and infusing techniques.

Vietnamese - Ngay Day Thang

Ngay Day Thang is the baby's one-month anniversary. It is known for the first 100 days after the baby is born that the mother should rest, and on the 100th day, the celebration and feast should commence celebrating the baby. They eat boiled chicken, crabs, pork belly, hard-boiled eggs, sticky rice, and sweet bean dessert at the celebration. The mother and child also get money gifts.

Zoe has different curlfriends worldwide. There is so much more that encompasses Asian culture and the multiple traditions they celebrate. Healthy Roots Dolls believes representation matters for all people and how important it is for storybooks and toys to celebrate the beauty of our diversity. Asian culture is diverse and should be respected globally.