HOW DO ASIAN NATIONS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING?

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HOW DO ASIAN NATIONS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING?

Thanksgiving (感恩节 Gǎn ēn jié) may be seen as an American holiday, but the United States isn't the only place in the world where people give thanks annually. And it's definitely not the first country in the world to begin the tradition

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November, the American version of Thanksgiving traces its origins to the Plymouth colonists in 1621. Later, in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln established the tradition as an official holiday. Of course, many Americans and others around the world had already been celebrating the end of the harvest season for centuries.
While the American Thanksgiving with its turkey dinner may be the best-known holiday of gratitude, people around the world gather together to give thanks each autumn, with some nations even declaring an official holiday. Traditions and histories may differ from country to country, but gratitude and celebration are universal values.

Here's a look at 4 Asian countries that celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving:

1.China

Long before European settlers embarked for the Americas, the Chinese were already celebrating their own version of Thanksgiving. In fact, the tradition can be traced back at least 2,500 years.
Known as the Mid-Autumn Festival ( 中秋節 Zhōngqiū Jié) the Chinese celebrate the holiday around the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This means it typically occurs in late September or early October, during the moon's fullest and brightest period.
During Mid – Autumn festival, the locals give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions. The sharing and eating of round mooncakes among family members during the week of the festival signifies the completeness and unity of families.

2.Japan

Known as Kinrō Kansha no Hi (勤労感謝の日) , or Labor Thanksgiving Day, the Japanese holiday traces its origins back some 2,000 years. Celebrated on November 23, the holiday is like a combination of American Thanksgiving and Labor Day.
Derived from ancient harvest festival rituals named Niinamesai, its modern meaning is more tied to a celebration of hard work and community involvement, hence its translation: Labor Thanksgiving Day. While Niinamesai's traditions reach back thousands of years, Kinrō Kansha no Hi was created officially in 1948. It was intended to celebrate the rights of Japanese workers post-World War II. Today it is celebrated with labor organization-led festivities, and children creating crafts and gifts for local police officers. During the day, the Japanese give thanks for workers' rights, with different celebrations taking place throughout the country.

3.South Korea

Taking place annually in mid to late September, Chuseok Day ( 추석 , literally "Autumn eve", once known as hangawi (한가위).
According to popular belief, Chuseok originates from gabae (Hangul: 가배). Gabae started during the reign of the third king of the kingdom of Silla , when it was a month-long weaving contest between two teams. On the day of Gabae, the team that had woven more cloth won and would be treated to a feast by the losing team. However, it is also said that Chuseok marks the day Silla won a great victory over the rival kingdom of Baekje. It is believed that weaving competitions, archery competitions, and martial arts demonstrations were held as part of the festivities.
Many scholars also believe Chuseok may originate from ancient shamanistic celebrations of the harvest moon.New harvests are offered to local deities and ancestors, which means Chuseok may have originated as a worship ritual. In some areas, if there is no harvest, worship rituals are postponed, or in areas with no annual harvest, Chuseok is not celebrated
Nowadays, it is very similar to American Thanksgiving. Koreans normally spend the day with their families, enjoying each other's company as well as a lot of food.
During the day, Koreans give thanks for their ancestors and also for the autumn harvest. Instead of football, Korean wrestling and circle dances are enjoyed during the festive day.

One of the major foods prepared and eaten during the Chuseok holiday is songpyeon (Hangul: 송편; 松편), a Korean traditional rice cake which contains stuffing made with ingredients such as sesame seeds, black beans, mung beans, cinnamon, pine nut, walnut, chestnut, jujube, and honey.

4. Vietnam

Vietnam's Têt-Trung-Thu Festival, or Children's Festival, is celebrated similarly to China's Mid-Autumn Festival, and during the same time.
According to Vietnamese culture, Tet Trung Thu in Vietnamese, is the most important holiday after Tet (the Vietnamese New Year). It’s considered to be another Children’s Day in Vietnam as the main purpose of celebration is for the children. With the aim of bringing happiness and joy to the kids through traditional customs, all the activities in this occasion focus on folk dancing, singing or games.
Traditionally, parents make amends to their children for not spending enough time with them during the busy harvest season. Like in the U.S., people spend the holiday with their families, giving thanks.
There is one thing that may distinguish Vietnam from others on this occasion. That is exclusive Star Lantern, which is also a symbol of Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival. It is believed that the twinkling light from the star lantern has a meaning of purity and brightness which are normally found in children. Hence, playing with it is a way of honoring kids’ beauty. From that point of view, playing with star lantern has gradually become an essential toy in Vietnamese culture in Mid-Autumn Festival.