Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World
By: Mia Sparrow
Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World
What are your Thanksgiving Traditions? In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first celebrations of this kind in the colonies. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving day to be held each November. Although recognized as an American holiday, Thanksgiving is actually a holiday celebrated around the globe in various ways. Lets take a look at Thanksgiving customs celebrated in other cultures.
People of Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in the month of October every year. It is celebrated to thank the Lord for a bountiful harvest. The reason behind the difference in the celebration times in America and Canada is geographical; autumn season starts earlier in Canada. The first Canadian thanksgiving was celebrated on the 15th of April 1872 to thank the recovery of King Edward VII from a serious illness.The Thanksgiving celebrations include parades, customary ‘family feast’ and ‘turkey’. It is a time for sharing, loving and family reunions. The main idea behind the celebration is to be thankful for the past harvest and to pray and hope for a even more abundant one the upcoming year.
With the spread of western culture, Thanksgiving is celebrated in quite a few parts of India, the major festivity is mainly observed by Christians living in the state of Goa. Thanksgiving is popularly recognized as‘Ladin’ or ‘Ladainha’ in India. During the Thanksgiving ritual, people thank God for all the material and spiritual benefits. Christians start to prepare for Thanksgiving celebrations by purchasing wheat and gram, candles, wine and colored tinsel paper. A temporary platform or altar is constructed, decorated with flowers, vines and creepers. Celebrations also include singing of hymns and prayers. This is done to seek God’s blessing for a good harvest in the coming season. Though the date of celebrations varies in different parts, it is generally celebrated on the 15th of August every year.
“Harvest festival” is one of the oldest celebrated festivals in the United Kingdom. It began in churches in 1843,when Robert Hawker invited local parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at a church.In the old times, the success of crops determined the success or failure of the people. The natives of UK, pleased God by offering him the first sheaf of corn. This was done to ensure a good harvest in the coming season the entire community is invited for a celebratory dinner as part of the festivity. It is held every year in the month of September, on a Sunday nearing the harvest moon. This festival is however not declared a national holiday.The celebrations continue till date in the rural communities. Children sing hymns, and gift fruits and vegetables. Distribution of fruits and vegetables also takes place in local communities.
Thanksgiving is celebrated in many numerous ways around the entire world. Even though there are different traditions among different people, there is one central theme throughout all Thanksgiving celebrations, being thankful for all that you have.
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Wow! I didn’t know that thanksgiving was celebrated around the world. I just thought it was featured in the U.S.!