Celestial Saga

Throughout the Middle Ages, the only time a worker had off work was Sundays and holy days, that is days established by the Church to celebrate a religious matter such as the life of a particular saint or such events as the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and his resurrection at Easter. The Elizabethan period was the first time that such religious holidays came to be associated less with Church services and more to do with taking a 24-hour break from everyday life and, if possible, enjoying a little better quality of food and drink than one usually consumed. However, it is to be remembered that attendance at church on the main holy days was still required of everyone by law. Peasants in the medieval era worked just 150 days a year on average.

Non-European cultures have different ways of celebrating holidays and working schedules. For example, some Asian countries, such as China, Japan, and Korea, follow the lunar calendar and celebrate the New Year in late January or early February. They also have other traditional festivals, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Lantern Festival, that are based on the lunar cycle. Some Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey, observe the Islamic calendar and celebrate holidays such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, which are determined by the sighting of the moon. They also have different working hours and days, depending on their religious practices and customs. Some African countries, such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, have diverse ethnic and religious groups that celebrate various holidays, such as Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Mawlid. They also have different seasons and agricultural cycles that affect their work and leisure activities. Therefore, non-European cultures have different ways of marking time and celebrating holidays, which reflect their rich and diverse histories and traditions.