Ehrman Crest Middle School students experience the world during cultural day
Seneca Valley teachers helped fifth- and sixth-grade students on Friday, Nov. 1, tie on headbands to wear along with a thin, tube-sleeved coat, part of the “Happi,” a traditional Japanese outfit worn during festivals.
The experience was part of cultural day at the Ehrman Crest Middle School which included various stations with community members and volunteers giving cultural presentations.
Volunteers from the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania showed students the traditional Japanese clothing.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to share Japanese culture, to raise awareness, and to strengthen the relationship between America and Japan,” said Kevin Burkett, a volunteer with the society.
Students carried a trip itinerary from classroom to classroom and could hop around the world from Asia, to Europe, to South America, with guests showing off customs and traditions of different countries, along with collaborative activities.
In addition to Japan, the countries shown included Greece, South Korea, Belize, Sweden, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa, Madagascar, India, Venezuela and France, according to the district.
The students gathered around and took pictures with each other while trying on the Happi outfits the volunteers showed them.
“I don’t know how they feel about it. I can recall being in there position and learning about a new culture, but I think they are enjoying it,” said Qinhao Yu, a volunteer with the society.
In Argentina, a volunteer showed off flags and soccer jerseys, as well as Argentine foods like asado. Meanwhile, students wrote their names on a ticket to enter raffle for a traditional scarf and bag from Argentina.
The India station was filled with energy and celebration. With a presentation that included flowers and candles, Sonia Jaiswal taught the students about spices and colorful clothes of Indian culture.
She also told them about Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights that celebrates spiritual victories such as light over darkness and good over evil.
“We want the goddess of light to enter our house, so we like to make it welcoming,” Jaiswal said. “Celebrating light over darkness.”
Jaiswal has given this presentation with her husband and two children since her daughter, who is now in college, was in the fifth grade. On Friday, she taught students the “namaste” greeting and its meaning, similar to treating others the way you want to be treated.
Students also spent time coloring in pictures of colorful patterns that can be found on the walls and the floors near the entrance of Indian households.
At the end, the students at the India station lined up in the hallway as Rohin, Jaiswal’s son, taught them all six parts of the Bhangra, a traditional dance.
“It’s a type of Indian folk dance that’s all about being energetic,” Rohin Jayaraman said.
The dance is normally performed at harvest festivals according to Jaiswal, but has grown into events such as dance competitions, even happening here in Pittsburgh.
