Different ThanksGiving Cultures
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and community , whether you visit Marelle Santa Monica for their famous thanksgiving brunch or have a large gathering with loved ones and a traditional dinner , thanksgiving is a cherished holiday in America, which is celebrated in various forms that reflect diverse cultural values and traditions. American Thanksgiving is traditionally marked by the huge turkey sitting on the table for Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie , gatherings between family and friends and traditional decorations such as accents of brown and orange to represent the fall leaves, and mini pilgrim hats and turkeys to showcase American history. However, many other cultures have various ways of representing thanks and celebrating their harvest. From the vibrant festivals of India to the communal feasts in Japan, each celebration offers a glimpse into the heart of its people and now explores the different ways cultures celebrate Thanksgiving, delving into their unique traditions, foods, rituals, and festivals that embody the spirit of thankfulness.
In Japan, several traditions celebrate gratitude and the harvest. One of the most common is Kinro Kansha No Hi , which celebrates worker appreciation, highlighting the exchange of gifts such as letters and cards as expressions of gratitude for their dedicated efforts and hard work. Unlike traditional thanksgiving , which is celebrated on the third Thursday of November no matter what the date may be , Japanese thanksgiving always falls on the 23rd of November , unless it falls on a Sunday , which is a day of rest in japan , meaning the holiday would be celebrated on a Monday. “ In Japan Kinro Kansha No Hi is always celebrated on Nov 23 , and in America it’s always the 4th Thursday. It was established post-WWI to honor labor and production, as well as to give thanks to workers. While there are no specific foods , for the holiday , my family always prepares white rice and gyoza. You do spend it with your family but the holiday is not as family based as it is in America. I personally don’t participate in any specific rituals that are unique in japan but one thing I do cherish is the thank you notes the community passes out. It’s a very wholesome tradition that connects the community together.” Samohi Student , Luke Shimahara ( 26’)
The celebrations may vary across regions, but the underlying theme of gratitude connects these festivals and traditions together. Presenting community and connection across cultures. They showcase India's rich cultural tapestry and deepen the appreciation for agricultural traditions.
In Jamaica, many Jamaicans embrace the spirit of gratitude and gatherings by having harvest festivals. The atmosphere of the festivals is lively as live music and traditional dances such as Bruckins, burru, and dinki - minni , all reflecting the island's rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, while the typical Turkey feast is not the norm, families and friends come together to enjoy traditional Jamaican food such as jerk chicken, curried goat , rice and peas and the festivals include sweet fried dough , plantain and more.
“A Jamaican thanksgiving starts from the nose. As soon as you wake up you smell the vibrant spices such as curry , cassia , allspice and more. The dinner includes curry chicken , jerk chicken , and sometimes goat , rice and beans , cabbage , cassava , carrot , potatoes. I think the best way to explain Caribbean thanksgiving is liveliness. We’re not as comfortable as american thanksgiving , we get up we dance we treat thanksgiving as a party that gives thanks. After we eat our food , we go out to the streets of the island and hit all the festivals. They play salsa, merengue, and reggaeton and we do traditional dances. These dances bring us together as a community and express gratitude to our ancestors.” Samohi Student Malachi Smith (‘26).