Celebrate Mum this Mother's Day

As April gives way to May our thoughts tend to turn to Mother’s Day.  As I was thinking about what to write about Mother’s Day I realised I have never in my life actually learnt about how Mother’s Day started.

I was pleased to find out that even though Mother’s Day as we know it has largely come from a western concept and been adopted by countries in the 20^th century, the celebration of mothers has in fact been happening for centuries.

It all started with an Antolian figure called Cybele.  Along with a number of other goddesses she was referred to as the Earth Mother or Great Mother.  According to Wikipedia, Athens evoked her as a protector and she “arrives in a lion drawn chariot to the accompaniment of wild music, wine and a disorderly following”, reflective of the modern day family?  A number of Roman and Greek festivals celebrated Cybele and could be viewed as the first Mother’s Day festivals.

Modern Day Mother’s Day around the world is a mix of Mother’s Days and International Women’s Days.  In some cultures it is highly offensive to your Mum not to mark Mother’s Day – keep that in mind boys!

Some of the more  fascinating ways Mother’s Day has come into being include the commemoration of the Battle of Coronilla in Bolivia which took place 27^th of May 1812, in this battle women fighting for the country’s independence were killed by the Spanish Army.  In Indonesia Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 22^nd of December, it was the first day of the Indonesian Women Congress in 1928.  It was attended by 30 feminist organisations from 12 cities.  In Egypt Mother’s Day was introduced by journalist Mustafa Amin in his book ‘Smiling America’.  Amin became an advocate for having a Mother’s Day after he was inspired by the story of a widowed mother who devoted her life to her son who became a doctor, married and left without showing her any gratitude.

In New Zealand we adopted the American form of Mother’s Day, we even celebrate it on the same date.  While traditions vary around the world in New Zealand, as I am sure you are all aware Mother’s Day is a time to say “Thanks Mum!” , spend some special time together and give Mum a break for the day. 

So where does chocolate fit in to Mother’s Day?  I could be scientific and say chocolate will help your Mum relax!  The release of endorphins aided by chocolate calms the mind!  Or you could have fun making Mum a cake or visiting a Devonport Chocolates store to choose a delicious gift for her.