Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! One thing most who celebrate have in common is, of course, holiday music. And yet, few things are as divisive as the season’s music. So, to give a better appreciation for the holiday music that so may either love or hate, we’re taking a short tour around the globe. This week, we explore musical holiday traditions from cultures around the world. We’ll begin this world tour with our near-neighbours to the south, Mexico. From there, we’ll travel down through Chile, swing across the Pacific to Japan, through India, Europe, and back home to Canada.
Holiday Music of 6 Nations Around the World
Mexican Holiday Music
With such a strong Christian base, as well as several cultures’ influences, Christmas is a particularly unique time in Mexico. The season runs from December 9th to January 6th, with one final event on February 2nd. Due to the strong religious and cultural commonalities with the United States, there are many similarities in the kinds of seasonal holiday music played in both countries, as well as here in Canada. Christmas music is very popular in Mexico, both contemporary and traditional. We would probably recognize many of the more popular contemporary tunes; all your old favourites have been successfully translated into Spanish.
And just like in the US and Canada, popular artists are more than happy to create their own holiday classics. But what makes Mexico’s traditional holiday music a little different are the villancicos. Villancicos were originally a type of popular song using an informal poetic form in 15th-century Spain. However, over time, and through religious and cultural influences, they have become most associated with Christian holidays, especially Christmas.
Seasonal Music from Chile
Many of the things that Mexican Christmases have in common with our own traditions, we also share with Chile. However, many things about Chilean Christmases are different as well. Just like Mexico, a Christian base population strongly emphasizes the religious significance of the day. As such, the church is a focal point for daily activities during the season, and spiritual hymns and music are very popular.
However, one different thing is the season in which this all happens. Chile is south of the equator, which means December falls during their summer. That means long, beach-filled days and short, pleasant nights. While this fact doesn’t directly affect the music of a Chilean Christmas, certain themes and songs may be missing from their popular repertoire. Like anything involving snow, for example.
Holiday Music in Japan
Across the Pacific, we find a different approach to holiday music in Japan. While there aren’t many Christians (about 1% of Japan’s population), Christmas is a hugely popular holiday. Because Christmas is more of an “imported” holiday, with so few people celebrating the religious feast, Japanese Christmas is much more of a commercial event than in Mexico or Chile. Even so, the Japanese people have adopted many Western traditions related to Christmas: Christmas parties, gift-giving, lights, the tree, and, of course, the music.
Over the years, there have been countless Japanese and English covers of Christmas carols, Western artists’ original holiday songs, and a surprising amount of original content, much of which is reminiscent of Western holiday music in both style and theme. Some of the most popular Japanese Christmas songs have been compiled here; give some a listen.
Indian Festival Music
Of course, not everyone celebrates Christmas. While not analogous to Christmas in any real sense, there is an ancient Hindu festival that takes place roughly the same time of year: Diwali. Diwali (or sometimes Deepavali) is an important festival for Hindus, celebrating the honour of the goddess Lakshmi. Celebrated between mid-October and mid-November, “the Festival of Lights” is a five-day celebration with music and dancing. Along with Lakshmi, devotees make offerings to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom, and learning, revealing the culture’s respect for art and knowledge and the importance of music.
European Holiday Music
As we swing into Europe and another predominately Christian population, it’s back to Christmas music. European Christmas music builds upon centuries of traditional folk, religious, and even pagan music. With so many distinct cultures so close to one another, interaction is unavoidable. That makes the entire continent a mixing pot of holiday music, set to simmer for hundreds of years. The result is a blending of secular and religious tunes, music from the 17th century and earlier remaining popular today, and a vast library of music in different languages and genres.
Christmas Music in Canada
Here in Canada, we find ourselves right between the religious tradition of the holiday and the secular celebration of the season, without the same connection to historical music as our European counterparts. Music still plays a hugely important role in the season, whether you are religious or not. Ask anyone who works in retail.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Music plays a vital role in any celebration, regardless of culture or even the holiday. So whether you love or hate Christmas music, you have to admit, the season wouldn’t be the same without it.
Want to start the new year off on a musical note? The Music Studio offers a wide variety of programs, bands, and lessons, available for students of all ages and skill levels! Each of these exciting options are taught by professional and experienced musicians.