We all know what Thanksgiving looks like in the United States: images of tables groaning under the weight of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, macaroni, and pumpkin pie have been flashed in front of our eyes since the day after Halloween. For most Americans, it brings families and friends together and signals the beginning of the winter holiday season. But the concept of a “thanksgiving” is not uniquely American. Here are five other cultures that have a similar day or time during which they also celebrate family and good fortune.
Similar to the American tradition, the German celebration of Erntedankfest, held on the first Sunday of every October, focuses on the harvest and eating a great bird for dinner, although, in this celebration, it’s usually a chicken. Differing from America’s idea of Thanksgiving, there is not an emphasis on family gatherings and there is also a religious component to the festivities and it involves a church service.
Canada
Canadians have their Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October, traditionally to celebrate another year of good harvest. Like their southern neighbors, turkey, mashed potatoes, and corn are common foods for that weekend, and parades and other such celebrations are traditional. The first Canadian Thanksgiving actually took place in 1578, almost half a century before the American celebration was first conducted.
Korea
The holiday of Chuseok occurs over a three-day period at the end of September and the beginning of October every year. It is a time for families to come together and offer their respects to their ancestors, as well as enjoy a delicious feast from the recent harvest. Dancing and the wearing of traditional attire are also components of this autumnal celebration.
Liberia
Thanksgiving in Liberia is relatively similar to its American counterpart, largely because the country itself was founded by freed slaves from the United States in the 19th century. They also eat a celebratory bird, but with many more traditional African spices and flare put into the food. This day is celebrated at the beginning of November, like most other harvest-time holidays.
China
China’s Mid-Autumn Moon festival takes place in either September or October, and like all the other celebrations in this list, it is centered around a harvest. Like in America, there is also an emphasis on family and friendships, old and new, but dissimilarly, it is also known to be a time of romance. The signature dish at these festivities is the mooncake, a flaky pastry with an egg yolk center, symbolic of the full moon.
