Things you probably never wanted to know about Thanksgiving

 

Norman Rockwell's vision of an American Thanksgiving.  I know, I know, not exactly realistic, maybe even racist, right?  Sigh.  How about a drumstick with your propaganda?

This is really what the holiday is all about for everyone these days, right? Everyone with a "food baby" by the end of the night.

But, every tradition or custom has some basis--what ever that is.  Let's face it:  everything having to do with the holidays gets blurred over time.

Last year I wrote about one take on Thanksgiving--that it was President Lincoln's way of reconciling his grieving country in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.  Gads, has it already been a year, Dear Reader? Well, let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy autumnal feast! A meal where, I hope, you and yours celebrate one another.

                                                     *      *      *      *      *      *

One of the common misperceptions about this holiday in the States, is that a bunch of Puritan honkies sat down to a meal with some Wampanoag people, celebrating the fact that the colonists were still alive--oh, yeah, throw in a little of the white's gratitude for the friendship of the First Nation people.

Remember that the colonists would have thought that their favor was more valuable than any other peoples’.  But, there’s nothing new about that, is there?

Alright, we know the character of my perception about the so-called 'history' of the occasion.  I think that the closest we can come to any understanding about the holiday, is to look at its' probable origins:  the autumnal feast. 

Many cultures celebrate something in this season, whether it be food, or the solar/lunar position.  I like to remember that, the next time I hear any presidential candidate praise America's grand holiday traditions.  Geez, what an anomaly.  Honestly, if you think about it, the US is about six months old, when compared to the Roman empire, or China.

So, here we go!

Canada:  

Le Jour de l’Action de Grâce

On this day, Canadians typically give their gratitude to the Olympian Gods (kidding);  for the harvest;  for the food on their table;  for their family and friends.  I know--familiar.  What is different is the date:  Canada celebrates the holiday on the second Monday in October.

Vietnam:

Tết Trung Thu

This is known as the "Children's Festival" or the "Mid-Autumn Festival," typically taking place in the month of October.  Prominent on this day are (obviously) children, but also the family.  The day is also associated with the full moon, which represents fertility and good fortune.  Traditional entertainments include lion dancing (???????), songs, and a procession of children carrying paper lanterns.

These are moon cakes (also of Cantonese origin), sometimes served on this day.

recipe

Ghana:

Asogli Te Za

A very rough translation, is "the yam festival."  Typically celebrated in the Volta Region, this occasion celebrates family, the gods, and ancestors.  This holiday is month long (September), and there is a ban on funerals for the entire period.  Something I found really cool, is that yams are cooked and sprinkled outside of important shrines--this has to be done before one is allowed to partake.  

Now, something you may not know:  the yam is a symbol of masculinity in multiple cultures.  Think PHALLIC folks.

Southern India:

Pongal, four-day harvest festival

The first day of this holiday represents the gods Indra and Krishna.  Here is the way the story goes:

        the people of Govardhan worshipped Lord Indra in a grand manner, as they were afraid of his arrogant behavior. When Lord Krishna heard this, he wanted to teach Lord Indra a lesson so he asked people to worship Mount Govardhan instead. 

Furious, Lord Indra sent heavy rainfall, but to protect the people, Lord Krishna lifted the mountain. Three days later, Indra realized his mistake and apologized for his actions. Then, Lord Krishna arranged for celebrations in honor of Indra.

As with other autumn festivals, crops are often the focus of celebration.  On this day, people honor the harvest of rice, tumeric, and sugar cane.  On the first day, people take all of their unwanted belongings, and put them into a communal bonfire.  The horns of oxen are painted, along with the exteriors of houses.  

Well, however you do it, have an excellent day.