HOLIDAYS
In Jordan, weddings, births, harvests and other occasions are celebrated with great enjoyment. Marriages are especially festive, and wealthy families may host several days of events to mark the occasion. Men and women usually celebrate separately but similarly, with lots of talk and laughter, dancing and feasting. 

Some traditional Muslim families have a special ceremony for men before a wedding. The mosque leader, or imam, stands on the shoulders of a circle of men. While the men clap hands and sing, the imam calls out blessings on the new couple. The group parades the groom to the bride's home and nudges him backwards through the door.
Muslim holy days are also occasions for lively parties. The end of Ramadan, the month when Muslims fast, is marked by prayer, followed by a three-day holiday called Eid al-Fitr. People dress in new clothes and celebrate with feasting and presents. In the cities, amusement rides are set up for children in the parks. Offices and schools are closed during Eid. The dates for these festivals follow the lunar calendar, and fall 10 days earlier each year.

 Eid al-Adha celebrates the prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival takes place in the month of the traditional Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca called the hajj. Those who cannot go on the pilgrimage celebrate with their families. 
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The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts features singing, painting, dancing, bands, poetry, plays and handicrafts, and is a popular attraction for tourists and Jordanians alike. Other festivals include the Fuhais Festival (cultural/arts), the Wadi Rum Hot Air Balloon Festival and the Aqaba Sports Festival.		  
The Christian community celebrates Christmas and Easter much as Christians do everywhere, with feasting, gift-giving, church services and decorated trees. Although these holidays are not as public as the Eids, because of the smaller number of Jordanian Christians, schools, government offices and some businesses are closed.

 The anniversary of independence is a national holiday and falls on May 25 each year. In 1996 Jordan celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence.
Dancing is an important part of any festival. Dances are usually performed by ordinary people rather than specially trained troupes. Jordan's most popular folk dance is the debkah, performed by men to the stomping of feet and clapping of hands. The Bedouin have a special dance called the sahjeh, which represents heroic stories of the past. The Circassians perform an elaborate sword dance and have formed a group to dance in competitions and festivals around the world.