A Global Feast: Thanksgiving traditions around the world

Thanksgiving is a time-honored tradition that brings families and friends together to express gratitude. However, the spirit of giving thanks is not confined to American borders.

Around the world, diverse cultures have their own unique ways of celebrating. Let’s explore Thanksgiving traditions from various corners of the globe, highlighting the rich tapestry of global expressions of gratitude.

Brazil – Dia de Ação de Graças

While not as widely celebrated as in North America, Thanksgiving has found a place in Brazilian culture, particularly among the country’s Christian communities.

Known as Dia de Ação de Graças, it is marked by family gatherings, feasts, and expressions of gratitude. The holiday is growing in popularity as a time to reflect on blessings and share goodwill.

Canada – Thanksgiving with a Northern Flair

Similar to the American tradition, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving, but on the second Monday of October. Canadians gather with family and friends for a feast that typically includes roast turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. The holiday is an opportunity to appreciate the harvest season and give thanks for the blessings of the year.

Germany – Erntedankfest

Germany’s Erntedankfest, or Harvest Festival, is a time for expressing gratitude for the year’s harvest. Celebrated on the first Sunday in October, it involves parades, church services, and community events.

People decorate churches with fruits, vegetables, and flowers, emphasizing the connection between the land and the food on their tables.

Ghana: Homowo – The Festival of Plenty

In West Africa, specifically among the Ga people of Ghana, Homowo is a harvest festival celebrated between May and August. The festival involves giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and asking for blessings in the upcoming planting season. Traditional dishes like kpekpele — prepared with the primary ingredients of steamed and fermented corn meal, palm nut soup, and smoked fish — and boiled yams are central to the celebrations, accompanied by traditional dances and rituals.

Israel: Sukkot – Feast of Tabernacles

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a Jewish holiday that coincides with the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the harvest and commemorate the time when the Israelites wandered in the desert.

Families build sukkahs, temporary huts, and share meals within them. The menu often includes seasonal fruits, vegetables, and dishes like stuffed cabbage rolls.

Japan: Kinrō Kansha no Hi – Labor Thanksgiving Day

In Japan, the equivalent of Thanksgiving is known as Kinrō Kansha no Hi, which translates to “Labor Thanksgiving Day.” Celebrated on November 23rd, this national holiday is a time for expressing gratitude for labor and productivity. People often participate in community service, express appreciation for colleagues, and reflect on the importance of hard work in the development of the country.

Liberia – Thanksgiving

In Liberia, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November. Although it shares the name with the American holiday, the Liberian version has a unique historical significance. It commemorates the nation’s resilience after a series of crises, including civil wars and the Ebola epidemic. Liberians celebrate with church services, feasts, and community gatherings.

South Korea – Chuseok

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is a major harvest festival celebrated in South Korea. Families gather to pay respects to ancestors, share food, and participate in traditional activities such as folk games and dances.

The holiday is an expression of gratitude for the bountiful harvest and the joy of family unity.

Whether it’s expressing gratitude for the harvest, acknowledging hard work and productivity, or celebrating resilience in the face of challenges, people around the world find their own ways to give thanks.

These diverse traditions highlight the common human experience of expressing appreciation and fostering a sense of community, reminding us that gratitude is a universal language that connects us all.

Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC) wishes all an abundantly joyous holiday! Learn more about TLC’s professional language services at www.tlctranslation.com.