Thanksgiving Around the World

North America: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, which will take place on November 28 in the US this year, has a history in North America dating back over 400 years. What started as a religious celebration of gratitude for a good harvest has become a family-oriented feast in the US and Canada.

Interestingly, many countries all over the world celebrate harvest, food, and togetherness. Although Thanksgiving and other harvest festivals share the idea of expressing thankfulness for food, each one is celebrated differently, with unique customs, foods, and traditions.

Unlike Thanksgiving in North America today, the following celebrations are influenced by astronomical events or natural phenomena. The phases of the Moon determine the timing of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Harvest Festival. Meanwhile, Pongal and Homowo are based on the position of the Sun and seasonal agricultural cycles.

China: Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important holidays on the Chinese calendar. It is celebrated under the Full Moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in late September or early October.

The tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back over 3000 years. In ancient times, people gave offerings to the Moon to pray for a good harvest, family, and prosperity.

Today, people celebrate by baking and eating mooncakes—round pastries that symbolize unity, harmony, and completeness. The round shape of these pastries represents the shape of the Moon during the festival.

Mooncakes are often given as gifts to family, friends, and colleagues. Celebrations also include colorful lantern displays, Moon-viewing, and gatherings with loved ones.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is characterized by its emphasis on family, unity, gratitude, and cultural heritage. It is celebrated not only in China but also in Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as by their communities around the world.

See the position of the Moon and Earth in real time

UK: Harvest Festival

The UK’s Harvest Festival is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to the Harvest Moon, which happens in September or October.

The Harvest Festival traditionally celebrates the gathering of crops and giving thanks for a plentiful harvest. Even though harvest is no longer done by hand, the festival still holds significance, particularly in schools and Christian communities.

Though the Harvest Festival is a tradition that predates Christianity, it has recently become more closely associated with the Church. It shares Christian values like helping those in need, encouraging community, and practicing gratitude. During the festival, church members bring food donations that can be given to food banks or people in the community who need help.

In rural areas, Harvest Festival celebrations may occur alongside plowing competitions, in which people race to plow fields the fastest.

South India: Pongal

Observed by the Tamil people, Pongal occurs in mid-January, at the beginning of the harvest season. The four-day festival marks the end of winter and the start of the Sun’s journey into Capricorn.

This six-month, northward journey of the Sun, known as Uttarayana, is of great importance in Hinduism. Seen as a time of light, it is associated with renewal and prosperity. At the beginning of Uttarayana, many harvest festivals are held across India, though the names and customs of each festival vary according to local tradition.

The festival of Pongal is a celebration of the Sun, Mother Nature, and cattle, all of whom contribute to a successful harvest. Pongal is also the name of the sweet rice dish that is eaten on the second day of the festivities. It comes from the Tamil word pongu, which means “to boil over.”

The Four Days of Pongal:

1. Bohgi Pongal: People clean and discard old clothes to represent a new beginning.
2. Surya Pongal: The main day of Pongal is dedicated to the Sun god Surya. This is when the traditional rice dish is served. As the pot boils over, people shout “Pongalo Pongal!” to express gratitude for abundance.
3. Mattu Pongal: The third day of Pongal involves celebrating cattle and their vital role in farming. Cows are decorated with colorful garlands and bells.
4. Kaanum Pongal: Families come together, sharing meals and spending time with loved ones to strengthen bonds and celebrate community.

While the festival usually lasts four days, some families and communities may celebrate Pongal for three days, choosing to combine elements of the festival.

Ghana: Homowo

Homowo is a joyful festival that spans many months. It celebrated by the Ga people of Ghana in West Africa, both in Ghana and around the world. The festival began at a point in history when the Ga people overcame a long period of famine with a large harvest.

The timing of the festival is dependent on seasonal changes caused by the Sun’s influence on rainfall patterns. The festival starts in May with the planting of millets and corn. Traditionally, there is a month of silence and fasting before the main celebration. Noise-making activities are banned to avoid disturbing the gods during the growth of the crops.

When the crops are ready to be harvested, usually in August, the festival springs into life with drumming, dancing, and singing to celebrate the joy of overcoming hunger. In fact, the word “homowo” translates to “hooting at hunger.”

The Homowo festival reflects the strength of the Ga people’s community and their triumph over hardship.

While different, all of these thankful festivals are centered around food and the community coming together to celebrate.

Interested in more thankful festivals around the world? Explore our global holiday database with more than 7000 holidays.

Topics: Calendar