Global Thanksgiving Traditions

Turkey Traditions // Celebrating Thanksgiving is different in many cultures, and many variations exist for expressing thankfulness and graciousness. The diversity results in many unique celebrations and holidays that comprise the idea of Thanksgiving. (Photo by Ashley Nassiri).

Thanksgiving is one of the most revered holidays in the United States. Its deep roots go back to hundreds of years, from when pilgrims met local Native Americans, to when the first turkey was pardoned by President Truman in 1947. However, many do not know about the Thanksgiving that occurs beyond the United States, in fact, there are some countries throughout the world that celebrate it. While the roots of Thanksgiving remain from the United States, its cultural phenomenon has also influenced other countries. 

The United States is credited with the original Thanksgiving, starting in 1621 when Puritan members of the Plymouth colony made a peace treaty with the local Wampanoag tribe.  In 1623, the Puritans declared it a religious observation when after a two-month drought, rain came, to honor God, who they believed brought the rain, celebrated with a harvest festival, to give thanks. These two events, two years apart are both considered roots to the early start of Thanksgiving. However, the holiday wasn’t a national holiday until 240 years later, in 1863,  when President Lincoln declared two Thanksgiving days, one in August to remember the Civil War, and one in late November, which has stayed since an American treasured day. Today, traditions include eating turkey, enjoying pumpkin pie and remembering what the word,”grateful” means. But beyond the United States, where else is a version of Thanksgiving celebrated?

Canada has their own form of Thanksgiving that occurs on October 12th. It’s different from American Thanksgiving in terms of history and celebration. Its origins include when the English explorer, Martin Frobisher, gave his gratitude for his safe arrival in modern Nunavut back in 1578. The holiday was considered official in 1879, and since then, traditions are similar to their American counterparts, like eating turkey and cranberry sauce; however, they land on different dates, and there’s no Black Friday immediately thereafter. 

Down in South America, Brazil takes its own unique spin on Thanksgiving. Referred as “Dia de Ação de Graças,” it is not considered a major national holiday. Its celebrations vary widely by region, as it's considered more of an unofficial holiday, though a majority of it is similar to American & Canadian Thanksgiving. Turkey, also known as a Peru in Portuguese, is eaten alongside traditional Brazilian dishes such as feijoada, the country’s national dish. 

Across the world, Germany celebrates their own take by celebrating Erntedankfest or Harvest Festival in German.  Its roots go back thousands of years, when farmers would plant seeds and grow them by hand. Of course, machinery changed that, but the people still give thanks in Germany with Lanternumzug, a lantern parade, or fireworks depending on the region. Plenty of local folklore, potatoes and of course, turkey also make an appearance during Germany’s own Thanksgiving. 

Liberia, an African country, celebrates Thanksgiving in their own unique way as well. Alternatively, they replace the turkey and cranberry sauce with dishes such as mashed cassava, which is a plant root widely eaten and chicken Jollof rice. Liberia is a country full of unique roots, and so is their Thanksgiving. Families often attend special concerts and dance as well. 

Chuseok is the largest holiday celebrated in South Korea aside from New Year’s. Similar to Germany’s Erntedankfest, Chuseok or Autumn Evening is celebrated in late September every year by Koreans and other cultures in Asia as well and is a three day  celebration. Foods such as the rice cake, namely, Songpyeon, is made with love on the evening of Chuseok. Aside from cooking, it is customary to give gifts to loved ones and even colleagues.

Despite being mainly a traditionally American holiday, these American traditions have spread worldwide and been developed into their own unique holiday. Ultimately, though there may be different foods, traditions, and even history worldwide, gratitude remains the center for this holiday. Around the world many people outside of America find unique ways to celebrate and give their thanks upon blessings. So, whether you are eating turkey or making desserts, there’s certainly plenty of options to celebrate.