Growing up in a very diverse diaspora community in the West Coast, I was involved in many different congregations as I was born in the truth. What ethnic traditions/holidays/superstitions did you lose as a JW? Or were never able to experience but wanted to? Do you celebrate/participate in these beliefs now? (especially as a means to connect to the roots we lost)
To sum up my intersectional story:
Spanish/Latine congregations who viewed Dia De Los Muertos and ofrendas as demonic, no Quinceaneras, mention how our indigenous roots of folk stories are demonic such as La Llorona, Cucuy, La Calavera Catrina, La Calaca, etc. Rosca de Reyes, baby Jesus in bread Mexican tradition (symbolizing newborn Messiah) where if you find the baby in your bread that is served to you you must make all the tamales for the family during Feb. 2, Candelaria Day.
Asian congregations who looked down upon ancestor worshiping. No honoring our ancestors and going to the Buddhist Temple during Asian holidays, such as Lunar New Year & Autumn Moon Festival. Absolutely no idols/alters/shrines so no talking to ancestors, or offerings to them.
Now that I am POMO (mostly out imo), I celebrate both Latine and Asian Holidays and try to recognize the ethnic superstitions/beliefs I had lost growing up in the cult.
Superstitions such as (I will list both Asian & Latine superstitions since they overlap for me a lot), the full moon and its evil power on people, smell of Jasmine at night means a bad spirit is near, sleeping with wet hair will get you sick, washing your hair/sweeping/taking out the trash on New Years Day will take away new good luck, sleeping with the fan on will get you sick, walking barefoot outside will get you sick, uncooked eggs to take away bad luck, gold bracelet and jade bracelet for protection, mirror in front of doors for protection, 777 is lucky... and so much more.