October marks many things, Fiji’s Day (10/10), Savoring Fiji’s anniversary (10/10), my birthday, but also at times a major holiday, and one that I hadn’t officially celebrated in decades. Diwali (10/22-10/26). As I scoured my brain to remember my last Diwali memory, nothing surfaced. The memory tank was empty. I know I celebrated as a child, but let’s just say it’s been a very long time.

But this year is different. This year I’m bringing Diwali BACK into our home. There is so much positivity around this cultural holiday and for me its important to teach my girls about the holiday whether they continue the traditions we will make in our home or choose their own.

So what exactly is Diwali?

Diwali (short for Deepawali) is the five-day Festival of Lights celebrated by a quarter of the world’s population (over a billion), Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. A celebration of good over evil, light over darkness, and for some signifies a New Year.

During Diwali, the goddess Lakshmi – goddess of wealth, abundance and health is worshipped. Hindus attract Lakshmi into their homes through poojas and by lighting lamps and candles (diyas).

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It’s October 10th, and in the US it is Indigenous Peoples Day (known as Columbus Day…but we know better..) – but if your from Fiji, you may be celebrating Fiji Day!

Over 150 years ago, King Cakobau (pronounced Thakombau) ruled over the island of Fiji. He is known as the country’s first and last king. As history tells it, King Cakabou united Fiji as one and ruled his kingdom for a short three years before ceding the country to the British Empire, on October 10th, 1874, making Fiji a crown colony.

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