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So...when is the New Year in South Africa?
August 1st is the traditional New Year for Africans in South Africa. This is because we celebrate and welcome the new harvest and observe it as a New Year in August. South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere so we have the opposite seasons. Our spring from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn from March to May and winter from June to August.
Traditionally we, Africans, observe nature and so we celebrate what nature gives us to eat for the coming year. We used to celebrate the New Year by gathering (coming together/meeting) and giving thanks to our ancestors by bringing some of our harvest. Most of the harvest would be sorghum, beans, traditional beer and any other fruits, vegetables or yams. This food would also be shared and eaten with the community. Some people would also thank the ancestors for their achievements for the year.
We would thank our ancestors for the harvest so that we get a good harvest again the next year. These years our harvest season has changed due to Global Warming. This year we didn't have our spring rain but are seeing a lot of rains now in the middle and towards the end of summer. My sorghum harvest and other crops have suffered a lot this year so I haven't been able to harvest anything for the New Year.
How do you celebrate the New Year in your tradition? Do you celebrate harvest? Let us know in the comments.
Feel free to also book a lesson on Traditional South African food to discuss this topic further.
Enjoy the new season!
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