Brunei National Day
This day commemorates the day Brunei seceded from Great Britain and became an independent nation. It was a protectorate of the United Kingdom for over two decades before it gained full independence from colonial rule. There are massive celebrations in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan and the Sultan of Brunei marches in the celebrations. It used to be an incredibly wealthy nation, but from the 1600s it started to decline and the British got involved in the 1800s during a succession conflict over the rightful Sultan. In 1888 Sultan signed an agreement with Britain, which gave them control over Brunei’s foreign affairs and introduced British citizens into the country. Japan briefly occupied the country in World War II, but the British soon took over. By this time political parties had been formed, and a constitution was written declaring the country as an independent state, but Britain was still responsible for things like foreign affairs, security and defence. Eventually the country gained complete independence.
Mashramani
This celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970. It is usually held on Guyanese Republic Day, and includes a parade, music, games and cooking and is intended to commemorate the “Birth of the Republic”. The word Mashramani derives from an Amerindian word and in Guyanese English means “celebration after cooperative or hard work”. It involves all Guyanese ethnic groups with spectacular costume competitions, float parades, masquerade bands and dancing in the streets to the accompaniment of steel band music and calypsos.
The Emperor’s Birthday
This celebrates the birthday of the reigning Emperor of Japan, which is currently Emperor Naruhito who was born on 23rd February 1960. It is enforced by a specific law, “The Law for Special Exception of the Imperial House Law concerning Abdication, etc of Emperor.” A decree was made by the Daijo-kan on 11th October 1868 to make the Emperor’s birthday a national holiday. Many citizens write letters to the Emperor during the week leading up to his birthday, and hang the Japanese flag the day of. A public ceremony takes place at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where the gates are opened specially. The Emperor, accompanied by the Empress and several other members of the imperial family, appear on a palace balcony to acknowledge the birthday greetings of well-wishers waving Japanese flags. This event is called Ippansanga.
Holidays & Special Events 