Salisbury University is highlighting cultural celebrations on the Shore

Illuminating Traditions: A Journey through Light and Culture

SALISBURY, Md. – Delmarva is wonderfully diverse, and at Salisbury University they’re working to include everyone this holiday season.

Our community comprises many cultures and celebrations that ‘light up’ Maryland. The Museum of Eastern Shore Culture at Salisbury University’s exhibit Illuminating Traditions: A Journey through Light and Culture, highlights Kwanzaa, Yule, and Diwali.

Illuminating Traditions

Museum Curator Raye-Valion Gillette says this is about inclusion and education. “We want people to come in here and not only see themselves in their own traditions but learn about some that they may not be familiar with… All of these displays originated from a class I taught at the Clarks Honor College over at the University. The project itself is focusing on traditions that revolve around light, and my class, which consisted of several students… many of them wanted to learn more.”

Yule 

Yule mixes Christianity and Nature. It’s celebrated for 12 days, and they always light a red, gold, green, and white candle: but in no particular order unlike Kwanzaa. They also have a great feast, and their displays consist of antlers, tarot cards, vegetation, and wooden logs. Gillette explains the connections. “The tradition-based elements of Christmas originated from Yule, which didn’t even know until we researched, and did this exhibit. The 12 days specifically focusing on the return to light after the winter solstice.”

Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights in India, and is celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists. They use candles, fireworks, and diyas to represent light over darkness, good over evil, and the rangoli is very important. “It just is a welcoming piece to families as they visit each other during Diwali. It’s typically something that is made with the family together. We had a whole family build them at folk festival a couple of years ago, so it’s really meant to be a community event.”

A Journey through Light and Culture

Different celebrations happening in our community, but their essence is all the same. They choose to rejoice in their inner light. The Museum of Eastern Shore says the display will be up until January 15th. Stop by 218 West Main Street Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm when students return to school to check it out.