World Festivals & Ceremonies Archives

We attended the Eagle Hunter Festival in western Mongolia, where local Kazakh hunters showcased their centuries-old traditions of training golden eagles, and it was fascinating to watch the skill, pride, and sense of community that surrounded the event without it feeling staged or overly touristy.

View Post

Karnataka

India: Holi – Festival of Colour

The Holi Festival in India is a lively spring celebration where people gather in streets and open spaces to throw coloured powders, dance to music, and share festive sweets in a joyful expression of togetherness and renewal.

View Post

Ghana

Ghana: Kumasi – Akwasidae Festival

Akwasidae is a sacred festival celebrated by the Ashanti people of Ghana every six weeks, honoring their ancestors and the Asantehene (King) through rituals, drumming, and traditional ceremonies at the Manhyia Palace.

View Post

Benin

Benin: Ouidah – Our Voodoo Festival Experience

The Mono River flows through Togo and Benin, originating in the central highlands of Togo. The river travels southward, eventually emptying into the Gulf of Guinea, near the town of Ouidah in Benin.

View Post

Togo

Togo: Davedi – The honouring of deceased twins

The death of a twin is treated with deep cultural and spiritual significance. The concept of a dolla is closely related to these beliefs and customs.

A procession led by young people - Guatemala Antigua

View Post

Sacatepequez

Guatemala: Sacatepéquez – Antigua during Holy Week

No city in the world lives and breathes Holy Week and Lent like Antigua, Guatemala. For six weeks each year, Antigua’s vibrant religious traditions spill out from the colonial-era Catholic churches onto the cobblestone streets.

View Post

Bhutan

Bhutan: Black-Necked Crane Festival

The Annual Black-necked Crane Festival is held every year on November 11th at Gangtey Gonpa, located in the Gangteng-Phobji Valley in Bhutan. The Black-necked crane is the only alpine crane species on the planet and is revered as a symbol of longevity in Bhutan.

Dragon boat races are one of the most popular events of the Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon

View Post

USA

Oregon – Portland Rose Festival Parade

The Grand Floral Parade is the centerpiece of the festival and the second largest all-floral parade in the United States after the Tournament of Roses Parade. More than 500,000 spectators line the route, making this flower parade the largest single-day spectator event in Oregon.