CultureWizard Viewpoint: February Edition

International Mother Language Day: A Day for Inclusivity and Cultural Preservation

Did you know that the most endangered language has only one person in the world who still speaks it? As of 2025, Resigaro, an Amazonian language spoken in Peru, has only one remaining speaker.?

February 21 is?International Mother Language Day. According to the United Nations, the theme for International Mother Language Day 2025 is to highlight the role of mother languages in creating inclusive societies, improving education, and preserving indigenous cultures. In a global society, native languages represent a gateway to an individual’s heritage, history, and culture. Therefore, this day is an important reminder that amplification of minority and indigenous languages are crucial aspects of creating an inclusive environment for diverse people.?

Thaipusam: A Holy Thanksgiving

Thaipusam?is a Tamil Hindu festival taking place in India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and Tamil communities worldwide on February 11th. The festival is a commemoration of a Hindu legend wherein good triumphs over evil. It is a time for people to pray for forgiveness, good health and peace. During this religious celebration, you may see a procession of people dressed in bright orange and yellow, some with facial piercings, singing and chanting on their way to deliver offerings of cow’s milk to the Hindu temples.

Black History Month: Remembrance in the United States

The United States'?Black History Month?takes place in February annually, chosen to coincide with the birthdays of two historically influential Americans: Frederick Douglass, a prolific abolitionist, who spoke widely about the immorality of enslavement practices in the United States; And Abraham Lincoln, an American president who is best known for issuing the proclamation abolishing slavery.?

And yet in addition to being an acknowledgement of the hardships, Black History Month also commemorates the achievement of Black Americans, such as the movements that fought for better wages, job security, and working conditions.?One of the things we can reflect on this Black History Month are the many ways Black Americans have profoundly shaped the way we view inclusion and belonging in American workplaces today.

Celebrations for the Start of Lent

Brazil's Carnival?begins on the afternoon of February 28, marking the start of Lent. World-famous for the lively parades with vibrant colors, feathers, sequins, and elaborate performances, Carnival is a celebration of Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian history, culture, and traditions.??The festivities last for 5 days and attracts an estimated 2 million visitors to Rio de Janeiro each year. As a fun fact, in 2024, Viradouro Samba School’s?'Tribute to Black Women' won the Rio Carnival Contest through a performance honoring Afro-Brazilian and indigenous peoples.?

Mardi Gras on March 4 marks the end of community celebrations before Lent. Similar to Carnival, Mardi Gras is a multicultural celebration with roots in European and African cultures. Particularly in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States, the Creole and Cajun communities have maintained a vibrancy to the parades, with their iconic green and purple beads, masks, and elaborate headdresses.?

The pre-Lent season of parades and festivities are a testament to the importance of multiculturalism and community across the world.