Festivals, customs and religions

Festivals and customs of the main religions, and our national days and symbols. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Religious festivals

Faith	Festivals and customs
Christianity	Advent (four weeks before Christmas), Christmas (25 December), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Pentecost (the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples); the Bible
Islam	Ramadan (month of fasting), Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan), the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and Eid al-Adha; praying together in the mosque
Judaism	Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah; the synagogue
Hinduism	Diwali, Holi (coloured powder in spring)
Buddhism	Vesak; the Buddha was a prince who became a wise teacher
African Traditional Religion	The ancestors are honoured as guides who watch over the family; families hold ceremonies to thank them and ask for guidance, for example when a new baby is welcomed and named

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Our national days

Day	Date	Meaning
Human Rights Day	21 March	Remembers the protest against unfair pass laws at Sharpeville on 21 March 1960; celebrates our rights
Freedom Day	27 April	First democratic election, 1994
Youth Day	16 June	Soweto uprising, 1976
Heritage Day	24 September	Our different cultures
Day of Reconciliation	16 December	Peace and unity

A tradition is passed from generation to generation. Celebrating festivals together builds community. Our anthem has five languages, and South African Sign Language has been an official language since 2023. Ubuntu: caring for others, because we are connected.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary

The Constitution guarantees that everyone may practise their own faith.
Christians: Christmas (birth of Jesus), Good Friday and Easter Sunday (Jesus rising from the dead).
Muslims fast from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan and celebrate the end of the fast with Eid al-Fitr. Once in their life, if they can, they go on the Hajj to Mecca; Eid al-Adha is celebrated at the time of the Hajj.
Hindus: Diwali (lights) and Holi (colours). Jews: Passover, Rosh Hashanah (new year), Hanukkah (lights).
Day of Reconciliation (16 December) encourages peace and unity.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Light festivals: Diwali (Hindu) and Hanukkah (Jewish). Colour festival: Holi.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

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All Grade 5 Life Skills summaries

For parents

Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
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Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Life Skills. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.