Spring! Colours! Love! Holi is a time to play and laugh, forget and forgive.
Holi is the ancient Hindu festival of colours and love. It is celebrated in India and Nepal and many parts of South Asia. Recently, Holi has also inspired non-religious celebrations in Europe and North America, and its popularity is growing.
The festival of colour
Holi marks the beginning of spring. It is a celebration of good winning over evil, and a time to give thanks for the good harvest. The dates change each year according to the full moon, but it is normally in March or February. People go outside and throw coloured paint powder at each other. There is a spirit of togetherness and equality. It is a time to forgive people and repair broken relationships, as well as meet with other people, and have fun.
Traditional Holi
Traditional Holi celebrations start the night before the throwing of colours. People pray that evil will be destroyed, in the same way that the demon Holika was burnt in a fire. The next day is the chaotic festival of colours. People chase each other and throw coloured paint powder. There is music and drumming, and people run in the streets and parks.
Other Holi events
Holi celebrations happened as early as the fourth century. Recently, Holi-themed events have become popular with a new generation in Europe and North America. Every year, big crowds of people go to Holi events, arriving dressed in white T-shirts and returning covered in bright colours. Restaurants offer their own Holi celebrations, with special menus, Indian music and dance.
Activity 1 - True or false
Are the sentences true or false?
1. Holi is a very old Hindu tradition. True False
2. Only Hindus celebrate Holi. True False
3. Holi is on 1 March - the first official day of spring. True False
4. Holi a festival for young people. True False
5. Holi activities start early in the morning. True False
6. The famous festival of colours is the second day of Holi. True False
7. People go to Holi-themed events dressed in very colourful clothes. True False
Answers 1. True; 2. False; 3. False; 4. False; 5. False; 6. True; 7. False
To find more English language activities visit www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglishteens
(c)British Council 2018
逢星期五見報