History of Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving

Throughout history many cultures have given thanks for a bountiful harvest. These harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were started by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians, and then extended to other parts of the world. They might differ in their forms and presentations, but their spirit - setting aside a date to appreciate life's blessings - remains the same. Here is a look at the different cultural celebrations around the world.

Many of these celebrations are held in August, such as the Chinese Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month to celebrate the end of the harvest season. It is believed that on this day, the moon is at its brightest and roundest, and under such bright autumn moon, friendships are made and renewed.

Chusok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is also held in the middle of August, during the harvest season. Korean families take this time to thank their ancestors for providing them with rice and fruits.

Vietnamese culture also celebrates its Têt-Trung-Thu (tet-troong-thoo) or the Mid-Autumn Festival in August. This is a significant day for the Vietnamese families because it's a day for the parents, who worked so hard to prepare for the harvest that they left the children playing by themselves, to show their love and appreciation for their children.

A popular holiday in Ghana and Nigeria, the Yam Festival is named after the most common food in many African countries and is held in the beginning of August at the end of the rainy season. People offer yams to gods and ancestors first before distributing them to the villagers. This is their way of giving thanks to the spirits above them.

Succoth is the Jewish Harvest Festival. It begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri and lasts for 7 days. It is usually held in September and October. This festival dates back to the period during which Hebrews wandered in the wilderness on route to Canaan (now Israel). During their pilgrimage, they lived in temporary booths. This open living space, called a succah, is where they worship and share meals. Thus, Succoth is also called the Feast of Tabernacle.

The American pilgrims celebrated their first Thanksgiving Day in 1621 by giving thanks to a successful harvest in the new land. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Thanksgiving Day is held on the 4th Thursday of November. American families get together to watch football and eat a big feast with turkey and grandma's pumpkin pie. The day is also about friendship and partnership as the pilgrims and Native Americans, who were once enemies, now celebrate the bountiful harvest by working together.

The Kwanzaa celebration is based on African harvest traditions. Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili. The celebration starts on December 26 and lasts for 7 days. Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. It does not, however, substitute for Christmas. Many African American families celebrate both holidays. The 7-day celebration is based on seven basic values of African culture: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Pongal is a popular harvest festival in South India. Named after a sweet rice dish, Pongal starts on January 14 of each year. The celebration lasts for three days. On the first day, Pongal is offered to Bhogi or Indran (the rain gods) for providing rain for the harvest. On the second day, pongal is offered to the sun (Surya). On the third day, the family's cattle (mattu) is cleaned and dressed up with flowers, bells, and color powder. This is the day to honor the cattle's hard work for plowing the fields.

Roasted Salmon with Orange-Ginger Glaze:
Cook time : Approx. 30 Minutes
Makes 5 Servings

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds salmon fillet
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger root
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Lumpiang Shanghai:
(Filipino Egg Rolls)

Directions: Blend all ingredients together in a saucepan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring continuously until properly thickened.