Spring Equinox Traditions Around The World + How You Can Celebrate In Colorado

The spring equinox — which lands on March20 this year — marks the beginning of anew season. The word equinox stems from the Latin aequus, meaning equal, and nox, meaning night. Also known as the vernal equinox, the phenomenon occurs when the earth’s axis is tilting neither toward nor away from the sun. Spring is set into motion when the earth’s axis begins tilting toward the sun after the equinox. In the southern hemisphere, spring occurs in September.

For farmers and growers north of the equator, March is the time for sowing and dreaming of harvest. With more daylight hours upon us, there is more time for producing. Plus, the weather warms, inviting seeds to emerge with new growth and creatures to spring forth from hibernation.

Many cultures revere the spring equinox for the beauty, hope and excitement it holds. From sacred times of rest to adoring the natural world to ceremonial dances and food festivals, spring is universally a time to be celebrated. The new season and its traditions carry prudent lessons to be learned, too.

JAPAN’S SAKURA

Yoko Watanabe, Japan outreach initiative coordinator with Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), shares that spring is a very important season for Japanese people. The mission of JASC is to expand person-to-person relationships between Colorado and Japan by serving as a bridge to connect through business, educational and cultural opportunities.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Photo by Hitomi Matsuoka.

Spring makes a grand entrance in Japan with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees. “We gather under the tree,” Watanabe shares. “That’s called Hanami.” Watanabe explains that Hanami is celebrated with friends, family and coworkers by eating and drinking under the cherry blossoms, or Sakura. Along with signifying the start of spring and the beauty of nature, the Sakura also represent the fragility of life. The flowers reach peak perfection for about 10 days before they are gone. Sakura is honored widely in Japanese songs, literature, poetry and other art. Watanabe emphasizes that Japanese people feel spring has sprung when the Sakura bloom, so she misses being able to experience that while in Colorado. However, she will listen to many Sakura songs, and they will make her feel the spirit of spring.

THE UTE TRIBE’S BEAR DANCE

Ute Bear Dance, 1890, Colorado. Photo Courtesy of Roland McCook.

The Ute Tribe, which covers parts of Southwestern Colorado and much of Utah, welcomes spring with a ceremonial Bear Dance. Roland McCook, descendant of historical Ute leaders and founder of Native American Cultural Programs, an organization designed to promote programs and events to support the West Slope’s Native American community, shares that the bear is king of the mountain.

Ute Bear Dance, 1970, Utah. Photo Courtesy of Roland McCook.

“We believe that mother nature puts him away; the creator puts him to sleep,” McCook explains. “We respect each other, so we stay out of each other’s way.” Legend — as passed to McCook by his father, Ouray McCook Senior —says that the dance and its songs were taught to an intrigued Ute boy awoken by the sounds of a bear growling and scratching a tree. The bear said to perform the dance when he emerged from his den at the first sights and sounds of spring, so that the tribe will prosper. Because of this celebration, this season is a joyful time for the Ute people. This season, McCook hopes to visit the Ute Reservation and enjoy the Bear Dance.

NIGERIA’S NEW YAM FESTIVAL

Because Africa is in the southern hemisphere, Nigeria welcomes spring in September, yet the season holds similar significance. The spring equinox is often celebrated at the end of the rainiest season with the New Yam Festival, particularly by the Igbo people. Sam Ogah, founder of the Colorado African Cultural Center, an organization that strives to celebrate and empower the African community in Colorado, explains, “People get to celebrate the harvest of the products from their farm like the yam.”

While the festival is rooted in tradition, each tribe may add special dances, songs or feasts to their celebration. Coreen Zakaria, program manager at the Colorado African Cultural Center, explains that the New Yam Festival is a time to reap what has been sown and enjoy a period of rest. The New Yam Festival places emphasis on honoring the fertility of the earth and the people who cultivate food. As the weather continues to warm in Colorado, Ogah looks forward to gathering with his community. “We have different barbeques that happen, and we get to connect as a group,” he shares.

CELEBRATING SPRING IN COLORADO

Colorful Colorado is the perfect place to celebrate the spring equinox. If you and your community don’t have a spring equinox tradition, now is the perfect time to create a ritual to observe this special season. As we say farewell to winter’s chill and the melted snow saturates the earth, spring in Colorado engages all the senses.

Smell the Wildflowers

Spring in Colorado. Photo by Kim Fuller.

Take a deep breath in Colorado’s great outdoors when you set out on one of the state’s many hiking or biking trails. Spring is the beginning of wildflower season; consider visiting Crested Butte to explore the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” Appreciate the wilderness and the wildlife that calls it home, like the Ute Tribe teaches us, as you immerse yourself in nature.

Feel the Water

Connect with the earth in a special way by feeling the power of the water. There are many ways to enjoy Colorado’s natural rivers and springs. For relaxation and rejuvenation, you may enjoy sensing the healing abilities of the water in one of the state’s natural hot springs; many towns around Colorado are revered for their springs, including Ouray, Pagosa Springs and Ridgway.

Taste Local

Spoke+Blossom country (the West Slope) is also home to Colorado’s wine country. Barrel into Spring is a self-guided wine event featuring seven wineries throughout the Grand Valley. With two opportunities to experience the event on April 22 and 23 and again on May 13and 14, Colorado wine and nature lovers can’t miss Barrel into Spring. The spring season is the perfect time to honor and appreciate the enjoyment the earth (and growers) give to us through food and drink, as the New Yam Festival teaches us.

Hear the Music

If you enjoy art and music, like Watanabe, Colorado offers a bustling live music scene year-round, especially as the weather begins to warm. This year’s Durango Bluegrass Meltdown is happening April 21-23. The newly renovated Historic Avalon Theater in Grand Junction offers a myriad of shows and concerts to enjoy; make sure to check the website for a schedule of events.

See the Beauty

Above all, spring is a time to see the beauty around you. Whether it’s connecting under a cherry blossom tree, carrying on traditional dances through generations or honoring the earth and her nourishment, spring equinox traditions show us that one of the most important ingredients in a joyous and flourishing life is gathering with your circle of people and witnessing the wonder in the eyes of those you love.

Originally published in the Spring 2023 issue of Spoke+Blossom.