Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World
November 9, 2011
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Los Angeles
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Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World
While most of us think of Thanksgiving as a uniquely American holiday, harvest time celebrations have a long standing tradition around the globe; from the heart of Asia to the Ancient Greeks each culture has its own unique way of bringing in the fall season. Taking a cooking class at one of the many Los Angeles cooking schools is a great way to learn new techniques and deepen your appreciation of cultural traditions and cuisines from around the globe. Here are just a few of the ways that Thanksgiving is celebrated around the world.
Ancient Greece
The cornucopia, the very symbol of Thanksgiving is actually dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Every autumn the Greeks held a three day festival to honor Demeter the goddess of corn and grain. The cornucopia or “horn of plenty” is usually depicted as a horn shaped basket filled with fruit but in Greek mythology the cornucopia is an enchanted goat’s horn created by Zeus that is able to produce an eternal supply of whatever its owner desires.
Chung Ch'ui, the Chinese festival of Thanksgiving
Celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar, Chung Ch’ui is a celebration of the birth of the moon. Traditionally people gather and celebrate with a large meal featuring moon cakes in honor of the moons birthday. Chung Ch’ui is also foremost a celebration of family. People travel from all over the country to show thanks to their elders and pay their respects to their ancestors.
Sukkoth
Jewish families have been celebrating their fall harvest for over 3000 years with their Sukkoth holiday. Beginning 5 days after Yom Kippur, the holiday is named for the huts used by Mohammed and the Israelites as they wandered the desert for forty years in search of the promised land. Each year families build these small huts and fill them with fruits and vegetables. They eat dinner in these huts for the first two nights of this eight day festival.
The Ancient Egyptians
The Egyptians celebrated their Thanksgiving in the springtime each year; the time of their harvest. A celebration was held in honor of Min the god of vegetation and fertility. The festival featured a parade, feast, music and dancing in which even the pharaoh took part. During the festival the Egyptians would also try to trick Min so that he would not be angry when they cut down the corn for the fall harvest.
While Thanksgiving in America has its own unique history of Pilgrims and Indians coming together for a great feast, the holiday becomes even more special when thought of in global terms. As long as there has been civilization people have taken a moment and given thanks for not only their friends and family but all the bounty that the earth has to offer. If you would like to learn more about the cuisine made in Thanksgiving feasts from around the globe perhaps you would enjoy enrolling in a cooking class at one of the many great Los Angeles cooking schools.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Los Angeles,California. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Los-Angeles for more information.
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