December 22
China: The Dongzhi Festival
Inca: Capac Inti Raymi
The Dongzhi festival celebrates the end of winter. Families would get together and eat dumplings in the belief that this would ward off any coming frost in the next winter.
Capac Inti Raymi was the great feast of the sun. Hundreds of children were sacrificed on this day, buried alive by offerings of wealth and sustenance, later a feast was held and those men who got too drunk, swore or troubled the women in any way were killed.

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December 23
Ancient Rome: Larentalia
Mexico: Noche de Rabanos
Ancient Rome: End of Saturnalia
Larentalia involved funeral rites at the tomb of Acca Larentia a mythical woman held in high regard for leaving a fortune to the roman people. How she acquired that fortune is a long lasting debate among academics and bards.
Noche de Rabanos, or Night of the Radishes, is a festival where people sculpt radishes of a special kind that are very large and can weigh up to 3Kg. Sculptures range from images of Jesus to folklore characters.

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