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Welcome to Animated CyberKisses |
A brief history of Americas Thanksgiving
Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest
with thanksgiving ceremonies. Before formal religions were established,
many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits,
which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these
spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they
had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who
harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits.
The Greeks
The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses.
Their goddess of grains was Demeter who was honored each autumn.
On the first day of the festival married women would build leafy
shelters and furnish them with couches made with plants.
On the second day they fasted. On the third day a feast was
held and offerings to the goddess Demeter were made -
gifts of seed corn, cakes, fruit, and pigs. It was hoped that
Demeter's gratitude would grant them a good harvest.
The Romans
The Romans also celebrated a harvest festival called Cecelia,
which honored Ceres their goddess of corn (this is where the word
cereal comes from). The festival was held each year on October 4th
and offerings of the first fruits of the harvest and pigs were
offered to Ceres. Their celebration included music, parades,
games and sports and a thanksgiving feast.
The Chinese
The ancient Chinese celebrated their harvest festival, Chung Ch'ui,
with the full moon that fell on the 15th day of the 8th month. This
day was considered the birthday of the moon and special "moon cakes",
round and yellow like the moon, would be baked. Each cake was stamped
with the picture of a rabbit - as it was a rabbit, not a man, which the
Chinese saw on the face of the moon.
The families ate a thanksgiving meal and feasted on roasted pig,
harvested fruits and the moon cakes. It was believed that during the 3
day festival flowers would fall from the moon and those who saw them
would be rewarded with good fortune. According to legend Chung Ch'ui
also gave thanks for another special occasion. Enemy armies who took
control of the Chinese homes and food had conquered China. The Chinese
found themselves homeless and with no food. Many staved.
In order to free themselves they decided to attack the invaders.
The women baked special moon cakes, which were distributed
to every family. In each cake was a secret message, which contained
the time for the attack. When the time came the invaders were
surprised and easily defeated. Every year moon cakes are eaten in memory of this victory.
The Hebrews
Jewish families also celebrate a harvest festival called Sukkoth.
Taking place each autumn, Sukkoth has been celebrated for over 3000 years.
Sukkoth is know by 2 names - Hag ha Succoth - the Feast of the Tabernacles
and Hag ha Asif - the Feast of Ingathering. Sukkoth begins on the 15th day
of the Hebrew month of Tishri, 5 days after Yom Kippur the most solemn
day of the Jewish year. Sukkoth is named for the huts (succots)
that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert
for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. These huts were
made of branches and were easy to assemble, take apart, and carry
as the Israelites wandered through the desert.
When celebrating Sukkoth, which lasts for 8 days, the Jewish people
build small huts of branches, which recall the tabernacles of their ancestors.
These huts are constructed as temporary shelters, as the branches are not
driven into the ground and the roof is covered with foliage, which is spaced to
let the light in. Inside the huts are hung fruits and vegetables, including
apples, grapes, corn, and pomegranates. On the first 2 nights of Sukkoth the
families eat their meals in the huts under the evening sky.
The Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians celebrated their harvest festival in honor of Min,
their god of vegetation and fertility. The festival was held in the springtime,
the Egyptian's harvest season. The festival of Min featured a parade in
which the Pharaoh took part. After the parade a great feast was held.
Music, dancing, and sports were also part of the celebration.
When the Egyptian farmers harvested their corn, they wept and pretended
to be grief-stricken. This was to deceive the spirit, which they believed lived
in the corn. They feared the spirit would become angry when the farmers cut
down the corn where it lived.
Canada
Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Observance of the day began in 1879.
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