Celebrating Holi with Kids
Hello and happy Holi! We are wishing you a very happy and colorful day of celebration in honor of the Hindu Festival of Colors. You may recognize the brightly colored powders from “Color Runs” or other commercial events, but they are rooted in and appropriated from Indian and Nepalese Holi celebrations.
What is Holi? Who Celebrates It? Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colors, which starts on March 18, 2022. It is known for water balloons, colored powder (called Gulal), and people covered in bright colors. Holi marks the start of spring after a long winter and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated by South Asians across the globe.
If you’d like to share the myth that started the holiday with your little ones, Culture Groove Kids has a wonderful video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8p3wYzhTo
How is Holi Celebrated? On the eve of Holi, called Holika Dahan, people light bonfires to remember the downfall of evil spirits. The next day is filled with colorful celebrations, dancing, and delicious food. It is a time for joy, community celebration, and hope for the future.
How Can I Learn About it with my Little Ones? Listen to “Festival of Colors” by Kabir & Surishtha Sehgal and Vashti Harrison at Story Time with Ms Nikki
Dance to the story of Holi with Culture Groove Kids
Listen to Bollywood Music on Spotify or Apple Music
Make your own gulal powder, water balloons, or colored water to celebrate with!
Support local South Asian restaurants like The Little Indonesia Cafe in Somersworth, Taste of India in Dover, Shalimar India and Durbar Square (Himalayan food) in Portsmouth, Tulsi Indian in Kittery. Portsmouth also has an Indian grocery store, called India Bazaar.
Celebration vs Appropriation
If you are wondering how to celebrating non-Western holidays without commodifying or appropriating them, here are a few ways to reflect on your celebrations.
Am I learning about the significance of the actions, events, and symbols of the culture?
Am I using these symbols in the ways they were originally intended?
Am I profiting off of another’s cultural heritage? Am I respecting, protecting, and uplifting their culture in other aspects of my life?