Family Traditions: Late nights at the Vietnamese flower market

As you grow older in an ethnic household, you unlock new things that you are allowed to do each year, like levels in a video game. For me and my family in...

The sweet and savory culture of Brasil

Before I was born, my parents made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. This journey wasn’t an easy one, my dad came over first to the US with only...

An identity formed at the summit

My parents fell in love in the wild rains and green grassy plains of West Africa. As a result, my older sister and I were raised there. My childhood was full of...

Annual serenity: the new year celebration in Sri-Lanka

While the rest of the world welcomes a new year on Jan. 1, I celebrate the new year on April 13-14 in Sri-Lanka. The season of Aluth Avurudu is the most important...

Family Traditions: Loving the simple things, together

My family has been fortunate enough to be able to visit my relatives in Mexico every year. When I am in Mexico, I am humbled by the simplicity of life that my...

Family Traditions: literary liturgy

Last weekend while on a Zoom call with my family, who is scattered throughout the country, we referenced at least three children’s books we had enjoyed growing up. Reading picture books with...

Family Traditions: A truly Texan Christmas

Christmas. The word evokes images of snow-blanketed rooftops, sleigh bells and cozy cups of hot chocolate by a roaring fire. You can picture a beautifully trimmed tree nestled in the corner and...

Priceless gifts create lasting traditions

Tom Borchard never believed he would be able to stop the spread of an infectious disease that could have killed him, but thanks to my dad, Mr. Borchard was saved from paralysis...

Family Traditions: Manigong Bagong Taon

TALON! MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!” my mom screams in Tagalog as the ball drops and the clock hits twelve. I jumped as high as my little legs would allow.  My...

Family Traditions: Colombian novena

Every culture has its own traditions and customs. In Colombia, the Christmas Novena is one of our most beautiful and joyful traditions. It is a wonderful way to get friends together and...

Family Traditions: Keeping Vietnamese traditions alive in America

Vietnamese culture is full of exciting and vibrant celebrations. The most important celebration is Tết, or Vietnamese New Year. This is one of the main ways I am able to keep close...

Family Traditions: Happy Bappy Days

For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated the days my siblings and I were baptized. The day of our baptism is fondly referred to as our “Happy Bappy...

Family Traditions: feast days

Oct. 1 was no ordinary day for me as a child. I was born knowing that the first day of October was my feast day, and it was always so special.

Family Traditions: Dia de Los Muertos

Most, if not all, students at UD know All Saints’ Day, but most are not aware of Dia de Los Muertos, celebrated Nov. 1-2.  Dia de los Muertos is...

Family Traditions: Garifuna Settlement Day

Nov. 19 marks Garifuna Settlement Day, the birthday of my cultural heritage and the most anticipated day of the year, where my entire household is required to cook. One...