World Coconut Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
The aim of celebrating this holiday is to bring coconuts into the spotlight and recognize their importance and benefits — not just health-wise but economically too. Coconuts are especially celebrated in Asian- and Pacific regions by the APCC, Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, which facilitates most of the coconut production centers.
The coconut’s adorable name has an interesting origin. As portrayed in many cartoons and children’s illustrations, there are three indentations on the surface of a coconut, which resemble a human face. Ancient Iberian folklore tells us that when the Portuguese and Spanish explorers saw these indentations, it reminded them of the bogeyman or a similar entity. The mythical character from stories of their native lands was called ‘Coco,’ and so, the word ‘coconut’ was born.
The coconut made its way from India to the coast of East Africa, thanks to Arab sailors, and from Southeast Asia to the west of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and to the east of the Pacific, thanks to Austronesian sailors.
When the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) was founded in 1969, it was created in an attempt to help support and promote the tropical countries that are high in growing, producing, selling and exporting coconuts. Located in Jakarta, Indonesia, this group stays connected with the production and export of coconuts. Sharing scientific expertise and coordinating activities within the industry, the members of the APCC are responsible for the growth of more than 90% of the coconuts produced and sold all over the globe.
The first observance of World Coconut Day took place in 2009, commemorating the creation of the APCC. Every year, the International Coconut Community sets a theme for World Coconut Day. In 2020, the theme was ‘Invest In Coconut To Save The World.’
Coconut tree is revered as the “tree of life,” that offers sustenance, livelihoods, and cultural identity to millions. It is said that every part of the coconut tree is useful and that is actually very true.
The celebration of World Coconut Day offers plenty of opportunities for this important product of the Asia-Pacific region to enter into the forefront of conversation of people around the world!
Photo by formeitworks.blogspot.com/
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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