Although the modern day celebration of Thanksgiving, celebrated each year in the USA and Canada, is relatively 'new', in historic terms, harvest festivals are not; for centuries, different cultures from the ancient Egyptians to Pagan practices in Europe, have celebrated the gathering of the harvest and given thanks for the food it provides. Depending on the country, the season and timing of the gathering of the harvest varies but traditionally harvest festival is associated with the months of Fall.
The Date of Harvest Festival Celebrations
A harvest festival celebrates the gathering of the harvest each year; each country celebrates at different times of the year because of the growing of different crops and plants. However, in the Northern hemisphere, the celebration of a harvest festival traditionally coincides with the harvest moon. The harvest moon is a full moon which occurs closest to the Autumn equinox which is usually around September 23, but can sometimes occur in October.
Harvest festival, or Thanksgiving, is celebrated at the following times in the following countries:
- The United Kingdom – Harvest Festival - September
- Canada – Thanksgiving - October
- USA – Thanksgiving - November (although it is disputed that the 'original' Thanksgiving celebration occurred in September)
- South India – the Pongal festival – January
- North India – the Vaisakhi/Baisakhi festival - April
- Ghana/Nigeria – the Yam festival – August
- Israel - Succoth festival - September/October
- The Far East – the Moon festival – September.
Plants Associated with Harvest Festival
Again, depending on the country, there are many different plants associated with harvest festivals; traditionally, in the West, fruit and vegetables have been associated with harvest festivals including pumpkins, potatoes, corn and apples; in the East, there are many exotic plants associated with the harvest festival and it is common to hold large family feasts to celebrate the harvest.
Ancient Harvest Festival Celebrations
The ancient Egyptians celebrated harvest festival in the Spring and harvest festival celebrations were held in honor of the god of fertility and vegetation, Min; the ancient Romans celebrated harvest festival in the Fall and honored the goddess of corn, Ceres. Both ancient harvest festival celebrations included feasts, dancing and games. Many other ancient cultures dedicated harvest festival celebrations to deities or higher gods, in thanks to the harvest collected.
The Holy Celebration of Succoth
In Israel, the harvest festival is celebrated in the form of the Succoth; Succoth has historical roots which date back to the time when the Hebrews traveled to Israel (formerly known as Canaan) and set up living booths along the way. A booth was known as a succah and people ate and worshiped in this space; farmers lived in a succah at harvest time too and gave thanks for the harvest.
Today, the Succoth festival lasts for seven days, in September/October, and it is still traditional to build a succah where families gather to give thanks, share meals and live together for the time of the Succoth festival; a simple succah is built from tree branches, flowers and fruits and decorated with gold and blue material, leaving one side open. The Succoth is also known as the Jewish Harvest Festival.
British Harvest Festival Celebrations
There have been harvest festival celebrations in Britain since Pagan times but it is now thought of a traditional Christian festival, with the church playing a central role in harvest festival celebrations; churches are often decorated in fruit and vegetables and traditional harvest festival hymns are sung.
In the past, it was the farmer who was central to harvest festival celebrations and a traditional harvest supper was often given by farmers; today, some British villages and churches still celebrate this custom and hold their own harvest suppers. Schools also take an active role in harvest festival celebrations and often food is collected to be dispersed amongst the less fortunate members of the community.
Thanksgiving Celebrations in the USA
The Thanksgiving celebration in the USA is now a national holiday, held every fourth Thursday in November, and it is seen as an opportunity to gather family and friends together; however, the original history of Thanksgiving, the first of which was held in 1621, was a harvest festival celebration to give thanks for the harvest in a new land, a celebration based on British traditions of the American pioneers and settlers. It was also the sharing of different cultures and friendships.
Canadian Thanksgiving Celebrations
Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations have closer connections to Europe than the USA, despite the close proximity of the USA and Canada; an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, gave thanks for a safe arrival in Newfoundland in 1578. In the years that followed, European traditions of celebrating the harvest festival and US influences shaped the origins of the Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations into the modern day Canadian Thanksgiving held annually on the second Monday in October.
Harvest Festival Celebrations
Many countries around the world today still celebrate and give thanks for the safe gathering of the harvest of plants and crops; often, harvest festival celebrations are an opportunity for families and friends to reconnect. Plants are celebrated in many other festivals too but it is perhaps the harvest festival celebrations which are the most important in terms of food and sustenance into today's world.
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
