02: Children are given rice cakes from Toshidon

Toshidon is a religious event held on New Year’s Eve on Shimo-Koshikijima Island in the city of Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. The Toshidon deities are said to visit on the evening of December 31, riding headless horses. Children of ages three through eight come out to meet them in order to be given large rice cakes called toshimochi.\n01: Toshidon holding a dialogue with children

(2) The statue of Mazu

03: Children are asked to touch the nose of Toshidon

The Nooruz holiday symbolizes the celebration of the New Year according to the solar calendar, on the vernal equinox (March 21). It marks the arrival of something new in people's lives, their hope for a happy and prosperous year. This is one of the most important holidays in Kyrgyzstan, bringing together everyone, regardless of age and ethnicity.

Navruz is an ancient and widespread holiday in Tajikistan, and it is celebrated on the vernal equinox, the beginning of the solar year and the new year according to the Iranian calendar, as well as calendars of several other nationalities. Navruz traditionally celebrates the awakening of nature and the beginning of agricultural work.

Tshogchang is a traditional drink served by local Bhutanese communities to receive guests in the eastern part of Bhutan. Whenever any guest visits a community, it is customary for the local communities to collect a jandom barrel of Ara (local brew) from each household and present before the visitors. Village people, usually women, come in a group along with a pitcher of wine, a few eggs, red chillies to pay respect to the guest. They will also offer rice, maize and other snacks and drink together with the guests. It is symbolic in that the people are offering a gesture of welcome to the guest. \n\nNote : The text above is an excerpt from Sonam Chopel (https://schopheltrashigangpa.wordpress.com/) and adapted with the information provided from the National Library and Archives of Bhutan.