Fall Harvest Festivals Around the World

Fall harvest festivals are celebrated in many different countries all over the world to mark the end of the harvest season and to give thanks for the year’s bounty. These festivals and customs originated from a time where farming was the main way of life, and though things might not be that way today, people still give thanks and remember the customs from more traditional ways of life.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated every November in the US and even in some parts of Canada. Its origins date back to the early 17th century when the Pilgrims arrived from England and settled in present day Plymouth, Massachusetts. In 1621, the English Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans (who also resided in the area) shared a long feast, which is considered to be the first Thanksgiving. Since this great feast, it has evolved into a holiday where people gather with their close family and friends to give thanks for the blessings of the year and spend time with their loved ones. It became a national American holiday in 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed it as a day to give “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father.” It is typically marked with a big feast featuring dishes such as turkey, stuffing, pie, and more!

PONGAL

Pongal is a commonly celebrated harvest festival that can be traced back to the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is also celebrated by Tamil immigrants all across the world. The history of this holiday dates back over a thousand years to the Chola dynasty that used to rule over present-day Tamil Nadu. It is believed to derive from the Sangam period (200-300 CE) where Tamil poets and scholars praised the importance of agriculture and harvest, particularly in their stories, poems, and other literary works. Pongal comes from the Tamil word “pongu,” meaning to boil, and is associated with the preparation of a dish which in its own is also called Pongal. This holiday expresses gratitude to the sun god and thanks him for a bountiful harvest and also offers thanks to nature for its blessings. During the festival, there are many traditions such as preparing the dish of Pongal, traditional games, and decorating homes with colorful designs.

OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, and it is held annually in Munich, Germany. This holiday has a very rich history, dating back to the year 1810. The festival was originally established to celebrate the October 12th, 1810 wedding day of Bavaraian Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen and featured horse races, agricultural shows, and all sorts of other festivities. Slowly, these were replaced by beer tents and the festival got extended past its original date into a two-week event. Today, this holiday has grown to become a global celebration of Bavarian culture, with millions of visitors attending each year. The festival allows the country to prosper economically while also flourishing culturally during this beloved time.

CHUSEOK

Chuseok is a major Korean harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Lunar calendar (which can differ every year, but it is usually in September or November). Its origins can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea (57 BCE – 668 CE). The holiday was actually originally known as Gabae and was celebrated to give thanks for the autumn harvest. Slowly, other dynasties and different external cultural influences began to shape the customs of this holiday. The festival celebrates the agricultural heritage of Korea, highlighting the significance of farming in the nation’s history. It is also a time for families to come together and pay respects to their ancestors through charye (a ritual table setting). They sit around to share a meal featuring traditional foods while reinforcing the importance of traditional and familial bonds. People also spend the holiday giving gifts, visiting their ancestral hometowns, and playing fun folk games and activities!