Thanksgiving all over the World!

Thanksgiving is going to be upon us soon; we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the various ways that strong harvests are celebrated around the world!

American Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is held to commemorate the sharing between the First Nations and the pilgrims that occurred in 1621. Turkey, corn, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce are eaten with family as a traditional American meal.

In Korea, the harvest celebration is called “Chu Suk”, which takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. During Chu Suk, families visit the tombs of ancestors to make offerings and eat Songphyun, a rice cake made with beans, seeds and nuts. In the evening, there is a celebration called Kang Kang Sue Wol Lae, where people dance and compete in different activities and games.

The Indian harvest celebration is called Holi; it marks the end of spring. It occurs the day after the full moon in the beginning of March. To banish cold winters, people light bonfires and make offerings of grain. There is much merriment, with feasting, prayer and the throwing of coloured powder.

China celebrates harvest thanks with the Harvest Moon Festival. Like Korea, the celebration begins on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. This is when the moon is believed to be brightest in the sky. It is also said to be the birthday of the moon. Speaking of the moon, the traditional food for this celebration is mooncakes. This is historically based on the fact that the Chinese would send messages of revolution within these cakes, unbeknownst to the Mongolians.

Canadian Thanksgiving is generally the same celebration as the American, but because of the colder weather and earlier autumn harvest, the holiday takes place each year on the second Monday of October.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Alex B and the OnTheHub Team