Honoring Moms Around the World

The moms in our lives hold a very special place in our hearts.  From mothers to mothers in law, grandmothers to godmothers and every mother figure who fills our lives with love, Mother’s Day is a powerful day to honor the people who have nurtured us. Let’s take a moment to explore more about how this beautiful holiday is celebrated around the world. 

• In Ethiopia, an entire festival in the early fall is dedicated to celebrating moms.  During the Antrosht festival, after the rainy season has ended, families gather to enjoy a large meal together.  Daughters bring cheese and vegetables and sons bring meat to the celebration, which is prepared in a meat hash.  The families sing, dance and share stories of family heroes. 
• Celebrated on the second Sunday of May in Italy, La Festa della Mamma prohibits moms from doing any chores or cooking on this day that celebrates her. Instead, her family brings her homemade gifts and fresh pastries to make her feel loved. 
• Hindus honor the goddess Durga in a 10-day festival in the fall called Durga Puja, which dates back to the 16th century.  In India, this festival is both a family reunion and a religious ceremony. Families spend weeks gathering gifts, preparing food and decorating their homes for the festival. 
• The government of France awarded medals to mothers of large families in 1920 as a way to show gratitude for their help in rebuilding the population after so many were lost during World War I. After WWII, the government dedicated the last Sunday of May to be the Day of Mothers.  Most families honor their mom with a flower shaped cake. 
• In Brazil, Mother’s Day is an essential holiday, coming second only to Christmas.  This multi-generational celebration honors the many caring female figures of the family including grandmothers and aunts.  Flowers are popular and a delicious dessert is essential. 
• Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Japan as it is here in the United States and Canada. Moms are honored with a very traditional gift of carnations. 

However you honor the mother figures in your life, CarePatrol is here to support you.  When senior care solutions are needed, our Local Senior Care Advisors become a part of your loved one’s care team.  We match your loved one to the right options, making sure that desires and health needs are given top priority and ensuring that your questions are answered so that you can make decisions together, as a family.  You’re never alone with CarePatrol on your side.