There are many countries around the world that celebrate Thanksgiving uniquely to their cultures. For example, in Canada, the celebration can be traced back to 1578, 40 years before Thanksgiving was celebrated in America. For Canadians they celebrate Thanksgiving every year on the second Monday in October instead of November. An English explorer, Martin Frobisher, initiated the celebration where he and his crew gave thanks to the newfound discovery of North America. Most Canadians observe a long weekend to enjoy gatherings with friends and family.
Similar to America, the food prepared includes turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, and pumpkin pie. In China, the celebration is a festival that became popular during the Tang Dynasty Legend and indicates that emperor Xuanzong of Tang organized formal celebrations in his palace. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar cycle of the year, Chinese families meet for a three day feast featuring mooncakes containing duck yolk eggs, lotus seed paste, and sesame seed paste. The mooncakes represent unity and peace for the upcoming year.
The festival is celebrated mid autumn by worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, and eating mooncakes. South Indians celebrate Thanksgiving by harvesting crops such as rie, turmeric, and sugarcane during the Pongal festival. During Pongal each day is celebrated with a distinct ceremony by discarding unwanted belongings in a fire, preparing a special dish on the second day, and drawing traditional form “kolam” on the third day and a ritual of women praying for their brothers prosperity on the fourth day.
In Japan, the first celebration of thanksgiving can be traced back to 678 A.D. to welcome the harvest season. However, as Japan moved from an agricultural society to an industrial society, the celebration went from honoring farmers to workers. Lastly, in Korea the holiday is known as Chuseok which is a celebration that lasts a month. It is typically celebrated with friends and family with gifts and snacks. Many offer rituals to their ancestors on the 15th day of August which marks the first day of the full harvest moon. Rice cakes and spam are typically shared between family and friends which are very popular amongst Koreans. However you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and the traditions you may hold, the true meaning of Thanksgiving is to spend time with the ones you love and care about.
Works Cited
https://www.latmultilingual.com/blog/10-ways-thanksgiving-is-celebrated-across-cultures/
