By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Majid Mushtaq and Wajid Mushtaq from Pakistan

Seollal (Lunar New Year) is one of Korea’s two biggest holidays and my favorite time of the year. It usually lasts for three days and during this time, almost everyone heads toward their hometowns to see relatives. What makes this tradition so popular is that this time of the year is when families reunite, people spend time with grandparents despite their hectic lives and ceremonies are held to honor ancestors.

During Seollal, people eat tteokguk (sliced rice cake soup) in the belief that one bowl adds a year to one's age. They also greet others by saying, "새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Happy New Year)."

I am from Pakistan and would like to explain how Pakistanis celebrate the new year. My homeland is the world’s second most populous country for Muslims, accounting for almost 11 percent of Muslims worldwide. Though the nation is quite diverse geographically, 95 percent of the people follow Islam. And since Muslims follow the lunar calendar, the majority of Pakistanis celebrate the new year accordingly.

How it is celebrated?

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months of the year during which warfare or any fighting is forbidden. Because of this, people on the first day of the new year exercise respect and simplicity instead of having parties or firework shows. Many attend religious gatherings to recite the Quran.



What do they eat?

Most Pakistanis fast on Lunar New Year’s Day to help them learn patience and with the expectation that Allah will shower His blessings on them due to not eating from dawn until dusk. Not only that, many prepare food in bulk and distribute it to their relatives and the poor so that Allah will bless them throughout the year. No special food is prepared but people usually cook sweet dishes like halwa (snack), kheer (rice pudding) and sawiyaan (sweet roasted vermicelli).

Trending toward Jan. 1 celebration

Nowadays, Pakistanis have started celebrating the new year on Jan. 1 just like everyone else around the globe. Firework shows on New Year’s Eve are often seen at famous landmarks. Though New Year’s Eve parties are uncommon, friends hang out with each other that night. The biggest fireworks shows are at Minar-e-Pakistan and Bahria Town in Lahore.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.