What means this payment was meant to keep certain groups of people (mainly former slaves and african-americans) from being allowed to vote?

it's a secular holiday. it is and was a custom developed to recognize the ending of a time and a wish for a good future. the kind of kiss you exchange, if you are single, is intended to predict what kind of year you will have in the coming year.

it is saying good bye to the last year with all its ups and downs, and hello to the new year, with all its hopes and dreams.

i think it was because of how protected egyptian civilization was was which allowed them to evolve without much outside influence.