LIFESTYLE | Events
German Erntedankfest (harvest festival) and Thanksgiving For most Americans Thanksgiving is one of the most important holidays of the year. Even though ‘Thanksgiving’ can be freely interpreted as ‘giving thanks for the harvest’, it has little in common with the harvest festivals known in Europe. Below is an overview of the history and tradition of both customs. Harvest celebrations are among the oldest festivities of mankind. Since ancient times people have been thanking god(s) with an elaborate feast at the end of the harvest for making fruit, vegetables and grains thrive.
THANKSGIVING – The Winter holiday Kick-Off
Thanksgiving is arguably the most important holiday in the U.S. – even more important than Christmas, since, as secular holiday, it Although the U.S. custom is derived from the Christian Pilgtranscends all religions. Students have no school around the holiday rims, the American Thanksgiving which is celebrated on the and many employees are taking the Friday after Thanksgiving off as fourth Thursday in November, is actually a commemoration well. Thanksgiving is the time of year when the entire family comes toof the Pilgrim Fathers’ first harvest - thus making it a secular gether and celebrates, no matter how far apart the individual family rather than a religious holiday. In 1621 Plymouth, ninety native members live. Americans and fifty-three pilgrims celebrated the success of the first harvest in the New World for 3 days. Legend has it that the The highlight of the holiday is Thanksgiving dinner. A juicy turkey Wampanoag tribe taught the settlers fishing and the cultivation with stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and corn bread folof corn and were kindly permitted to attend the feast. In their lowed by apple and pumpkin pies for dessert are an absolute must prayers the Pilgrim Fathers thanked God for providing for them on this day for most people. but this religious tradition faded over time. Today, saying grace before the meal is the only remnant of the pious pilgrims’ tradition. Since the 1920s this day is also considered the beginning of the winter holidays. There are magnificent parades in big GIVING THANKS FOR THE HARVEST cities such as the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – cause to celebrate along Fifth Avenue in New York. The next day, Black Friday, follows the motto ‘shop-till-you-drop’ and marks the beginning of the The traditions of a feast to give thanks for the harvest as they are holiday shopping season. Many stores have big sales on Black Friknown in the German speaking countries (and many other parts day and the following Cyber Monday gives consumers an additional of the world) are among the oldest religious holidays and are opportunity for bargain hunting on the internet. rooted in pre-Christian harvest and sacrificial ceremonies. Ecclesiastical harvest celebrations are documented in comFor any football fan the NFL’s Turkey Game Day is the event of munities since the 3rd century A.D. but it is only since the 16th the year, second only to the Super Bowl. The three Thanksgiving century that the church started to set specific days for the harvest Day Battles kick-off on November 22nd. The National Thanksgiving festivities, usually the Sunday after Michaelmas (29th of SepTurkey Presentation, a.k.a. the “turkey pardon” has become a custom tember), making it the first Sunday in October. at the White House as well. In German speaking countries the sanctuaries in churches ► Native American activists do not consider Thanksgiving a holiday. Since are decorated with grains, fruit and vegetables and a cele1970 it is a national day of mourning to commemorate the loss of their culbratory service is held. In addition, many communities organize ture due to the settlement by white men. In Seattle and Minneapolis some charity events to benefit the hungry. Some schools and kinderactivists even advocate that Columbus Day should also be recognized as gartens hold charity sales of donated items and the proceeds are “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”. given to people in need. Generally Erntedank celebrations play only a Sarah Conlon minor role in German speaking countries. 42 | HEIMAT abroad | FALL 2018
