Do any Native Americans have a December holiday?

Answer 1

To my knowledge there is no "official" holiday of this sort for any tribe or people of Native Americans/First Peoples. Many individuals celebrate Christmas, but that's not a "Native American" holiday - just one that was imposed on Native Americans by European settlers trying to teach them "civilized" ways. Not much civilized about malls and stores this time of year, of course ;-) I'm Jewish AND Native American, and I celebrate Hanukkah like other Jews. There ARE a couple of legends of the Northwestern tribes in Oregon, Washington, B.C., and Alaska that deal with a "light-bringer," (such as the story of the Raven) and some celebrate that in conjunction with the dark season of the year.

Answer 2

I believe the Mayan and Aztecs celebrated the Winter Solstice. Perhaps the Incas too.

Very early civilizations had 'priesthoods' who studied the skies. Over many generations, many centuries, they were able to develop very accurate calendars and predict astronomical events like eclipses, etc. The Mayans, as everyone knows, had a more accurate calendar than Europeans had at the time.

This was important for agricultural societies because people wanted to know when to plant, when it would start getting colder, etc.

Also, you can imagine that people would most want to know when they days were going to stop getting shorter and start getting longer again, which is what the Winter Solstice is. So priests would hold some kind of ceremony on that day, and then days would start getting longer and it would start getting warmer! I can imagine at some times and in some places, people might have thought it was this ceremony that -caused- the days to start getting longer. Which would be job security for the priests!

In Jesus' time, there were MANY pagan cults that held celebrations at this time of year. It was a tradition throughout the Roman Empire, and I'm sure around the world too.

Answer 3

sure we do....Christmas!! No, seriously, none that I know of as we never had anything in our culture that was observed on any specific days....as prior to European influence we did not have days of the week. Spring and Summer time is when most of festivities were held. Winter being a time when everything was cold and dormant. To the best of my knowledge, Native Americans do not have December holiday....but, I'm limited to what I know from my particular tribe....

Answer 4

It depends on the tribe. Some, especially the many bands of Pueblo, have dances and such to celebrate Christmas. There could be other holidays as well. Visit websites for different tribes and they have a calendar, maybe that will help you find out.

Answer 5

Many celebrate Christmas.

Answer 6

they have festivals