The proverb says: “Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among the thorns.”
Well, this is something beautiful to get thought about but there are a lot more interesting things that need to be taken into account while talking about the Thanksgiving Day or Harvest Festival celebration, such as how do we celebrate them in our countries and how do they do it around the rest of the world?
We do offer you to have a look at Top 7 Thanksgiving Day and Harvest Festival celebrations around the world.
1. Mid-Fall Festival in China
The Mid-Fall Festival is the Chinese version of the Thanksgiving Day, which is also known as Moon Festival. The usual timing for this holiday celebration in made upon the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, as it is believed that the moon is the fullest and roundest by that time. Connected with that comes the traditional food of mooncakes baked and served in a variety of ways. Traditionally on this day, Chinese family members and friends will reunion for having a look at the bright mid-fall harvest moon. Other celebrations include planting mid-fall trees, carrying lit lanterns and having them hang around the tallest buildings and towers and collecting dandelion leaves and distributing them among family members and friends. The Mid-Fall Festival is the only holiday except Chinese New Year which is held in all the Chinese communities around the world.
2. Thanksgiving Day Celebration in United States
Thanksgiving Day is announced to be a time family reunions in America and the official beginning day of the Christmas season. Most of the common symbols of the Thanksgiving Day are associated with food such as carved turkeys, pumpkin and apple pies, cranberry sauce and corn. These dishes might be included in almost every house Thanksgiving meals Thanksgiving is also the holiday of gift-giving to your family members and friends while showing your gratitude and respect to your elders and siblings. Popular Thanksgiving gift-list includes flowers, jewelry, chocolate gift baskets, wine and etc.
3.’Harvest Festival’ in United Kingdom
‘Harvest Festival’ is one of the most popular and oldest festivals held in United Kingdom. Its history roots go deep into the year of 1843, when Robert Hawker invited local parishioners for a special thanksgiving service at a church in Cornwall. Soon it turned into a custom of decorating churches with home-grown plants, fruits and vegetables as a showing of gratitude. The ritual of offering an animal sacrifice, generally a hare, is accompanied with the cutting of last sheaf of corn.
The celebration is accompanied with songs and fruit and vegetable giveaway.
4. Thanksgiving Day Celebration in Canada
Canadian celebration of the holiday takes place on the second Monday in the month of October every year. The timing difference between the American and Canadian versions of the holiday varies because of the earlier start of the fall timing. The first Canadian holiday celebration was symbolizing the gratitude to god for the recovery of King Edward VII from serious illness but the official announcement of the holiday by the Canadian government was only made in 1957. The thanksgiving celebrations include most of the typical American customs such as parades, ‘family feasts’ and ‘turkey’.
5. “Kadazan Harvest “ Celebration in Malaysia
While being a country based on a large number of islands -Malaysia has a local traditional celebration of the holiday. The Kadazan Harvest festival of Malaysia is celebrated by Sabah every year. This traditional religious holiday is held in May in favor to the local Rice God. The rice-associated holiday is accompanied with the homemade rice wine distribution among localities who wear their traditional costumes Carnivals are also considered to play an important role while celebrating the festival.
The celebration also takes into account lots of varying activities, cultural programs and agricultural shows, buffalo races and traditional games.
6. Homowo Festival in Africa
African Harvest Festivals as not a surprise have a lot of religious connotations and can be characterized by a variety of religious dancing and singing. Dancers usually wear national masks and clothes made of natural materials. Homowo- which translated will be like ‘hooting at hunger’, is a popular festival in Africa. It is the largest cultural festival of its unique kind. The Homowo festival here is associated with the gratitude showing towards kings and queens.
7.’Ladainha’ Celebration in India
The State of Goa which is known as a most-Christian populated part of India has its unique tradition of Thanksgiving celebration, which is known here as ‘Ladin’ or ‘Ladainha’. ‘Ladin’ literally means a litany to the Virgin Mary. During the Thanksgiving ritual, people thank God not only for the material benefits gained but also spiritual. The preparation for the festival includes purchasing wheat and gram, candles, wine and colored tinsel paper.
