It seems like no matter where you live, winter holiday celebrations are full of magical — and strange — traditions.
This week’s trivia challenge by Amy Ferguson, Albion Library Branch manager for Whitman County Library, explores a few.The Whitman County Library’s online trivia challenge takes place at 5:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month on its Facebook page.
- What treat should you leave out for La Befana if you’re celebrating Epiphany (Jan. 5) in Italy?
- What is the name of the Welsh tradition that features a caroling, rhyming horse skull?
- What item(s) must you receive for Christmas to avoid being eaten by the Yule Cat in Iceland?
- Instead of stockings, what do children in the Netherlands leave by the fire for Sinterklaas, or Santa Claus, to fill?
- What major, fast food chain is associated with Christmas in Japan?
ANSWERS
- La Befana likes broccoli and spiced sausage with a glass of wine. La Befana is the giver of gifts, rather than Santa, in Italy. She flies around on her broom and enters houses through the chimney.
- Mari Lwyd. A team of people carries a horse skull on a stick to homes and requests entry by singing a song. The household is expected to initially deny entry, also through song. Thus commences a song battle. If the house relents or loses the competition, the group is allowed inside for food and drink.
- The Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn or Jólaköttur) is a giant cat that roams the countryside eating children who do not receive new clothing.
- Their shoes.
5. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan but after an extremely successful 1974 marketing campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” or “Kentucky for Christmas!,” eating at the chain became a yuletide tradition. Some people order meals months in advance and stand in long lines for hours.
