The Celebration of All That is Good!
Carichenda Shela
(also simply known as "Shela") is a festival which is celebrated every
year throughout the Fall and Winter. It begins on October the first and
ends on the last day of February. Throughout this season, a different shoyal
(blessing) is celebrated every 2 or 3 weeks. The individual or family
celebrating the Shela decides on a blessing to celebrate for each two
to three week period. Typically, a particular culture or country is
chosen to be celebrated, but the celebrants may choose to celebrate
anything for which they have appreciation. They may choose to celebrate
an aspect of nature, such as trees or rivers, for example, or an aspect
of technology, such as cars or computers.
On the first day of October the family chooses the shoyal (blessing) which will be the topic of remembrance and celebration for the next 2 or 3 weeks (depending upon how much time the family wishes to spend on any given shoyal). Throughout the two or three week period (called a mre'ata) the celebrants learn about the topic. For example, if they choose to celebrate a particular country, they will spend time learning about the country's people, music, food, land, and culture. Then at the end of the mre'ata, one day is set aside (usually a Saturday) which will be devoted solely to the celebration of the shoyal. Celebration may include a dinner based on foods from the culture, as well as music, dancing, and games from the culture.
History
The idea for Carichenda Shela began on November 10, 2005, after a conversation between me and a friend. I had expressed my unhappiness over the shorter and colder days of the Fall and Winter season and the friend suggested that I create some special memories to associate with that time of year so that the season could be anticipated with joy rather than melancholy. I came up with the idea to celebrate various things of interest to me at intervals throughout the Fall and Winter months, giving birth to the idea for the holiday.
Carichenda is a fictitious island, imagined by me, where peace and harmony reigns and the people enjoy what is good in every culture. They are positive about life, are very devoted to God and to each other, and take time to celebrate the good things of life throughout the Fall and Winter every year. They speak an imaginary language called Carichenda and have their own unique culture, which is actually a blend of many cultures. In the Carichenda language, created by me, the word shela means "festival." Yes, I have a good imagination!
The very first celebration was dedicated to Cambodian culture. The main event occurred on November 19, 2005 and marked the beginning of the Shela for that year, and for the years to come. I welcome all the world to celebrate the Carichenda Shela in their own way, however they may wish. My family has not been able to easily remember the name of the festival, and therefore call it "Festivus" after a Seinfeld episode, where George’s father celebrated the “Festivus for the rest of us!”
On the first day of October the family chooses the shoyal (blessing) which will be the topic of remembrance and celebration for the next 2 or 3 weeks (depending upon how much time the family wishes to spend on any given shoyal). Throughout the two or three week period (called a mre'ata) the celebrants learn about the topic. For example, if they choose to celebrate a particular country, they will spend time learning about the country's people, music, food, land, and culture. Then at the end of the mre'ata, one day is set aside (usually a Saturday) which will be devoted solely to the celebration of the shoyal. Celebration may include a dinner based on foods from the culture, as well as music, dancing, and games from the culture.
History
The idea for Carichenda Shela began on November 10, 2005, after a conversation between me and a friend. I had expressed my unhappiness over the shorter and colder days of the Fall and Winter season and the friend suggested that I create some special memories to associate with that time of year so that the season could be anticipated with joy rather than melancholy. I came up with the idea to celebrate various things of interest to me at intervals throughout the Fall and Winter months, giving birth to the idea for the holiday.
Carichenda is a fictitious island, imagined by me, where peace and harmony reigns and the people enjoy what is good in every culture. They are positive about life, are very devoted to God and to each other, and take time to celebrate the good things of life throughout the Fall and Winter every year. They speak an imaginary language called Carichenda and have their own unique culture, which is actually a blend of many cultures. In the Carichenda language, created by me, the word shela means "festival." Yes, I have a good imagination!
The very first celebration was dedicated to Cambodian culture. The main event occurred on November 19, 2005 and marked the beginning of the Shela for that year, and for the years to come. I welcome all the world to celebrate the Carichenda Shela in their own way, however they may wish. My family has not been able to easily remember the name of the festival, and therefore call it "Festivus" after a Seinfeld episode, where George’s father celebrated the “Festivus for the rest of us!”