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

Holi Phagwa is a holiday on the first day after the full moon of the Hindu month of Chaitra, when Hindus usher in the new year. During the festival, people wish each other 'Subh Holi', Happy New Year. One day before the celebration of Holi, the Holika, a pyre, is prepared, the pandit (priest) deciding the exact time. Participants in the festival dance and sing Chautal (traditional singing). During the Holi festival, people throw colourful powder at each other, thus powdering each other. Because everyone is coloured by the powder, differences between religion or origin disappear. Social boundaries between social strata, young and old, rich and poor, fall away. This one day, all people are equal. Cultural richness, joy, mutual respect and tolerance make the Holi celebration unforgettable for the participants every year.

Holi is an umbrella term for a number of activities:

  • Vasant Panchemy, the cultural starting signal. In the Netherlands, a djadmaan buys a Rearh (ricinus) plant. The djadmaan commits himself to take care of the plant for 40 days and to bring the plant to the Holika Dahan. During this period the djadmaan lives vegetarian, out of respect for people, nature and animals.
  • Holika Dahan: This is the day a hay stack is set on fire, as a sign that good overcomes evil. Hindus and sympathisers of Holi gather to celebrate the dedication according to Hindu scriptures.
  • Dhoer Urawe: The ashes of the haystack are thrown up by a pandit the day after a blessing, after which the Holi festival begins.
  • Holi Festival (Holi Phagwa) and Holi procession: The festival is preceded by a float with music and a long procession of people celebrating Holi.
  • Bhurwa Mangar: Rituals and customs that are important at Holi are deliberately discussed as well as what can be done next year.
  • Chautal, each part is marked by music, dance and singing.

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Community

The nomination was made by the Stichting APNA (APNA Foundation), which, in this respect, cooperates with other organisations throughout the Netherlands. Holi is celebrated at the various locations by some 250,000 participants/visitors of various nationalities. The Pandits, Hindu 'priests', play an important role in this.

History

Holi came to Suriname from India in 1873, after which it travelled with the first Hindus from Suriname to the Netherlands about 60 years ago. In the past 60 years, much has changed with regard to the way Holi is celebrated in the Netherlands. Not only the number of practitioners has increased, but also the visibility in the public domain. In some Dutch municipalities, it is now part of urban cultural programmes where all the population groups in the Netherlands participate in celebrating Holi.
The message of Holi, equality, has not changed in recent years, but the social dialogue about Holi has. The dialogue is, however, changing towards the expression of culture and atmosphere, connecting different nationalities who come together to celebrate Holi.

Safeguarding

  • Contact is made with commercial organisations to indicate the importance and essence of Holi and where necessary, dialogue is conducted on the incorrect use of the components of Holi.
  • Since Holi does not have a random order, attention is paid to what steps should be taken to celebrate Holi when educating the youth.
  • Dialogue is and will continue to be held with municipal officials, councillors and security officials about the importance of Holi.
  • Dialogue is being entered into with schools and school communities on updating existing curricula.
  • The teaching material will be supplemented with the latest video and audio recordings, making use of social media platforms in schools wherever possible.
  • Because Holi is often seen as only for Hindus, the universal values of Holi will be explained by giving interviews in local media.
  • Debates and education about Holi will be organised, providing information about the importance of Holi as a Hindu High Holiday.

 

Contact

APNA
Rotterdam