Thanksgiving is not unique to the United States, but is also celebrated in many countries with distinct names, customs, and rituals.
Americans thank God for bringing a bountiful harvest. This holiday in the US can be compared to Tet in Vietnam. Thanksgiving Day in the United States remains the same as tradition; it’s the 4th Thursday of November. If you’re in the US, you’ll have 4 consecutive days off from Thursday to Sunday; Pretty convenient, isn’t it, after Thanksgiving there will be plenty of time to fight Black Friday. Because this is also the time to harvest blueberries, people in Massachusetts, the Southwest region of the United States also organize blueberry cake making contests.
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October; although they originally celebrated the day on a Thursday in November. Instead of enjoying turkey like the Americans, they ate bacon or lamb and La tourtiere – a baked cake made with mashed potatoes, meat minced rabbit/beef.
Interestingly, Thanksgiving Day in the UK has no specific date; The time of the organization will depend entirely on the weather and cultural conditions of the region. Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it? If to calculate a little more accurately, September – the end of summer will be the time when Thanksgiving is celebrated across the UK. The harvest season will begin when apples, wheat and especially corn are harvested. You know, the last bunch of corn will be greatly appreciated by the people and considered as luck. They would bring their harvest and plowshares to the church to pray, as according to British custom this would bring a good harvest for the following year.
Austrians will celebrate Thanksgiving for alcohol. If you fly to Austria around this time you will have the opportunity to participate in pilgrimages to Klosterneuberg Abbey – the “capital” of the famous wine Leopolsberg. Parades, performances with music will take place continuously during this time, so it would be a pity if you missed this good opportunity to learn about Austrian culture, especially the culture of Thanksgiving. Thank you.
If you have read through Greek Mythology, you must know the goddess of the harvest Demeter – who takes care of the crops of the people here. Of course, the Greeks always worshiped and respected her. Every autumn – the harvest season, they will hold a festival of Thesmosphoria for 3 days to show their gratitude to Demeter. Food such as corn, cakes, fruits and pigs will be offered to the goddess in the hope that the next year will be equally bountiful.
Chuseok , South Korea : Chuseok is a 3-day festival in which thousands of people from the city will return to their hometowns to dig their graves and have fun with their families. People often make elaborate offerings, children wear traditional costumes, in addition, there are drum performances, singing and playing tug of war. (Photo: Toptenz).
Dia de Acao de Gracas , Brazil: In Brazil, Thanksgiving is relatively new, but warmly received. In 1949, the late President Gaspar Dutra brought this festival to Brazil after a visit to the United States. Dia de Acao de Gracas is celebrated with lively parties, carnivals, and indispensable turkey dishes. (Photo: ABC News).
Thanksgiving, Liberia : After going to church, families will gather to enjoy roasted chicken, green bean casserole and mashed cassava, all very spicy. Thanksgiving ended with an evening of music and excitement. (Photo: Toptenz).
Homowo , Ghana: The Homowo festival was formerly held to mark the end of a period of famine for the Ga people, with chestnut soup, fish and traditional Kpokoi. The festival takes place around August, September, with traditional dances, songs, and an impressive drum performance. (Photo: News).
Crop Over, Barbados: This is the biggest party for the Barbados, lasting up to 12 weeks, from May to August, culminating with the important Grand Kadooment ceremony. Held since the 1780s, Crop Over was originally a celebration of the sugarcane harvest. During this lengthy festival, the highlight is carnival parades, joyful dance bands and beautiful dancers. (Photo: Panamericanworld).
Mehregan, Iran: This festival has a history dating back to the 4th century BC, held on the 196th day of the year according to the Iranian calendar, this year is on October 2nd of the solar calendar. Mehregan celebrates a bountiful season and honors the goddess Mehr. People wear new clothes, gather together and enjoy sumptuous dinners. (Photo: Toptenz).