Diwali is a five day Hindu festival. Diwali actually means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. The students told me that is like Christmas and 4th of July together. The Diwali is a rememberance of the victory of Good over Evil. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome the goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to the goddess. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. Shopping for new clothes and diverse gifts is the custom. All lights in the houses are turned on to welcome the gods who bring richness and good fortune into the home. Fire cracers are burned as at 4th of July. There is lots of food and joy in this celebration.
Our celebration was much smaller but I had a flavor of it. Of course started more than one hour later than it was supposed (or announced at least) to start. Which is normal and common.
The celebration started with chanting and the traditional lamps and lights on a little table, but the spirit was there even if the decoration was only symbolic.
Most of the students came in traditional clothing, especially the ladies were dressed with beautiful saris in bright colors. Some of the male students had also traditional clothing but most of them were in regular shirt and jeans. I did not see though any of the girls in other kind of clothing but traditional Indian clothes.
Then traditional home made Indian food was offered (the students were the cooks). That was GOOD! I enjoyed the new flavors, since I did not eat too much Indian food in my life many of the dishes were new to me. But loved them all. Especially I love the tin bread and a rice pudding. It is interesting because I know from home the rice pudding, rice bioled in milk with sugar, raisins, and bites of nuts inside. Home we sprinkle it with poudered cinnamon. I loved also the rice dish, very spicy.
After the dinner the students had a contest for the newcommers. A questions and answers game, the new arrived students were asked diverse specific questions about SIUE and the town. They were scored by some of the professors invited there, and the best scores were the winners (a female and a male) who were the Fall Prince & Princess. There was also a "Best dress" prize for the most beautiful dressed girl. All were so beautiful. The balck siny hair is like painted. Their dark eyes are radiating their smiles. Joy and laughter, the spirit of Diwali.
Not so much the game I enjoyed as the spirit of the game. Their behavior was a little unusual for the normal regular Western behavior. They cheered and laughed so laud one could not hear the contestants' responses. They teased them, laughed at them, cheered for them, and enjoyed themselves. All was so similar to what I saw in Gipsy groups. Freedom and joy. I felt as in my childhood in summer vacation when the Gypsies came to our town. Those nights when joining the Gypsy children in the evening we sat around the fire and played laud, ran around, and joined the adults in sing and dance. It is a mirage bringing me back to my childhood. I enjoyed the spirit then and I enjoyed it now.
I loved the sari and other traditional style dresses. So unusual the very bright and shiny colors and decorations. Again similar to the ones seen on Gipsy women. I especially loved a red dress, fresh red color.
I have spent a wonderful couple of hours, and enjoyed it all!