英语绿色通道电子版书必修三书

英语绿色通道电子版书必修三书

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Ancieut Festivals

Festivals mid celebrmions of all kinds are held everywhere. Tlie most ancient festivals would

celebrate the end of the cold weather. planting in spring and harvest in autumn. Other celebrations

were held when hunters could catch animals. They would starve if food was difficuLt to find. so

they celebrated when they had food They lit fires and made music because they thought thcse

festivals would bring a year of plenty.

Festivals of ffie Dead

Some festivals are held to honour the dead, or satisfy and pleas e the ances tors, who could reLurn

eirher to help or to do hanu. In Japan the fes tival is callecJ Obon, when people should go to clean

the graves and light incense in memory of their ancestors. They iight lamps and play music

because they think that this will lead the ances tors back to eanh. In Mexico they have the Day ofuL kCIUiU LIIU} LIIliLK iUdL LIU 111 iUCIU LIW tUI OIUIO UCKK IU L tU LJl. Ul OIUIUbU LUU} IJiI. U iIIU L~l] u'

the Dead in early November. On this important feasr day, people might eat too{l in shape of skulls.

and cakcs with \"boncs\" on thcm. Thcy offer food. flowers and gifts to the dead. The festival of

Halloween had its origin as an event in memory of the dead. It is now a chijdren 's festival, when

they can go to their ncighbours' homes and ask for swects. They dress up and try to frighten

people. If they are not given anything, the children might play a tiick.

Festivals to Honour People

Festivals can be held as an honour to famous people or to the gods. One of these is the Dragon

Boat Festival in China, which honours the fmnous ancient poet. Qu Yucui. Another is Columbus

Day in the USA, in memory of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America. In India there is a

uational festival on October 2 to honour Mahatnm Gandhi, the leader who helped gain Lldia's

independcnce from Britain.