The Inventory Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Netherlands contains ICH of which the communities, groups or individuals involved have written a safeguarding plan. Those plans are reviewed by an independent review committee. Every three years an evaluation of the safeguarding takes place.

Description

Diwali is the collective name for activities that are celebrated on several days in a row, of which Maha-Divpali-parwa is the highlight. The different parts are:

 

  • Kodjagriwrat, which means who stays awake all night.
  • Dhanteres: this stands for birth of the Hindu god Dhanvantri, the founder of medicine.
  • Narak-chatourdashi: on this day the god of the dead (Yam-dew, Dharm radj) is worshipped.
  • Maha-Divpali-parwa: the day of Diwali itself, also called Maha Laxmi-mata poodjan.
  • Govardhan pudjan: this is primarily a philosophical activity where people come together to reflect on the coming together of man, animal, and nature.
  • Bhaja Dudj: this means brother and two.

 

Diwali is a festival where Hindus celebrate the role of women in the form of happiness, purity, wisdom, prosperity, and warmth. The role of women is essential to Hindus and is embodied in many guises. One of the feminine guises is the goddess Laxmi-mata, who is worshipped on Diwali. She has all the elements, happiness-purity-wisdom-prosperity-warmth, in her. Prior to all the rituals, the whole house needs to be cleaned, as the goddess is invited into the house. This is also important because Diwali is all about health, the enlightenment of mind and body. A tidy house is a tidy head. Hindus see their house and body as a temple.

Each part is marked by the lighting of one or more dia’s (an earthenware pot with clarified butter) and vegetarian food, music, dance, and song. Instruments, made from natural materials (wood, leather), are played and songs are sung about the past and how it fits into the present.

Before the great day of Diwali (Maha-Divpali-parwa), festivals are held in major cities to gather and celebrate Diwali. Here, artists perform old and new songs and dances.

During the festival, people wish each other 'Subh Diwali': I wish you much happiness and enlightenment.

Community

The nomination was made by the APNA foundation, which cooperated closely with the Priest Council of the Netherlands. Diwali is celebrated at the various locations by some 250,000 participants/visitors of various nationalities, with the Pandits, Hindu 'priests', playing an important role.

History

The term 'Diwali', from Vedic scriptures, is as old as mankind.

Diwali came to Surinam from India in 1873, after which it travelled with the first Hindustani immigrants from Surinam to the Netherlands some 60 years ago. Much has changed in the past 60 years. Not only has the number of practitioners increased, but also its visibility in the public domain. It is now even part of several cultural urban programmes of municipalities in the Netherlands. It is a celebration comparable to the Christian Easter celebration. There are lectures on the power of light and light as a symbol of enlightenment. Many cultures recognise the power of light, and from this recognition, attention is paid to Diwali from a cultural perspective. The Hindu community is a co-initiator of this.

The religious aspect takes place in the churches and at home, not in public society. The community involves all fellow countrymen in the core values of Diwali and the power of light and woman. Nowadays, many different ethnic groups in the Netherlands participate and Diwali is celebrated in several cities. While retaining its Hindu identity, Diwali has become a shared tradition in the Netherlands.

The message of Diwali has not changed in recent years, but the dialogue about Diwali has. The social dialogue is changing from a purely religious celebration to a way of expressing culture and atmosphere. Partly because of this, the connection is also being made with different nationalities, who come together to celebrate Diwali.

Safeguarding

Safeguard actions

2021-2024

  • Commercial organisations will be contacted to indicate the importance and essence of Diwali and where necessary, the improper use of the components of Diwali will be discussed.
  • Because Diwali does not have a random order, attention is paid to what steps need to be taken to celebrate Diwali while educating young people.
  • There is and will be an ongoing dialogue with municipal officials, councillors, and security officials about the importance of Diwali.
  • Dialogue is being initiated with schools and school communities about updating existing curricula.
  • The own teaching materials will be supplemented with the latest video and audio recordings, using school social media platforms where possible.
  • Because Diwali is often seen as only for Hindus, the universal values of Diwali will be explained by giving interviews in local media.
  • Debates on Diwali will be organised, providing information on the importance of Diwali as a Hindu holiday.

Contact

APNA
Rotterdam