Harvest Festivals

Chuseok, also known as Hangawee, falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and is one of the four main festive holidays of Korea. In ancient society, people used to worship and hold festivals under the full moon. It is said that Chuseok is derived from the full moon, which was on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month.

Chuseok Harvest Festival in Korea

* Sungmyo is the tradition of cutting the weeds around one's ancestral graves during Chuseok. Paying a visit to one's ancestral graves is considered as a duty towards one's ancestors.

Traditional Customs

*Chare (Memorial rites)

During the morning of Chuseok, families gather around the head family house where the household shrines are placed to pay respects to their ancestors.

Harvest Festival in Korea

Folks Games

*Ganggangsulle is a traditional circle dance, where women gather at a specified place and go around in circles chanting "Gang-gang-sul-le." If a woman with a strong voice stands in the middle chanting gang-gang-sul-le, the rest of the people in the circle follow.

Harvest Festival in Korea

*Ssireum (Korean wrestling)In the past, the strongest of the villagers gathered to hold wrestling competitions. The sport of wrestling on sand while being surrounded by spectators has become a traditional favorite in Korea.

Harvest Festival in Korea

Traditional Food

A traditional food during Chuseok is Songpyeon, a crescent-shaped rice cake filled with sesame seeds, red beans, chestnuts, jujube and other grains which is steamed upon pine needles and is prepared on the eve of Chuseok.

Harvest Festival in Korea

Harvest Festival in KoreaTraditional Costume

The Korean costume is called hanbok. It is characterized by simple lines and no pockets. The women’s hanbok comprise a wrap skirt and a bolero-like jacket, and the men’s, roomy pants bound at the ankles and a short jacket. Hanbok are worn by Koreans of all ages.

Harvest Festival in U.S.AThanksgiving Day

* Thanksgiving Day, as the name itself suggests, is a time to offer thanks. On this occasion there are family gatherings and holiday meals, giant balloons and holiday parades. On the dinner table turkey is the most common item along with pumpkin pies. It's the time for all the fun with your family.

Harvest Festival in U.S.AThanksgiving Foods

The traditional Thanksgiving meal for many Americans includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pies.

Harvest Festival in ChinaMoon Festival

*The Chinese Harvest Moon Festival is celebrated on the15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar in honor of the harvesting of the rice and wheat crops. At this time the moon is at its brightest. This is thought to be the birthday of the moon and Chang-O, a woman who flew to the moon and can be seen when the moon is full, is honored.

Harvest Festival in ChinaTraditional Food

*Moon cakes are the traditional food to eat during this festival. This dates back to 1368 when China was under Mongolian rule. The Chinese planned a revolution to overthrow the Mongolians. They sent secret messages to plan this revolution in mooncakes which were not eaten by the Mongolians. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.

Harvest Festival in GanaYam Festival (Homowo)

*African people have always had festivals at the time of the harvest. In Ghana the Yam Festival (Homowo) lasts three days. The festival begins with a cleansing ceremony to honor family members who have died. Farmers give thanks to the gods who ensure a good harvest.

Harvest Festival in GanaTraditional Costume

During homowo people wear a kind of toga made from kente cloth which is brightly colored. The festival ends with a big feast. People dance and sing to the sounds of drums.