Thanksgiving in Asian Countries

In some special way, Thanksgiving is also celebrated in some Asian countries.

In India, a small part influenced by Western culture, celebrate Thanksgiving. Among Christians in the state of Goa, it is a major festivity participated by all villagers. They prepare foods for visitors, dancing and singing in the streets and organize group contests.

Incidentally, Goa is India's smallest state and has the second smallest population in the country. It is also famous for its tropical beaches and world heritage architecture. The date of celebration varies in the small state where they term the event as "Ladin" or "Ladainha". However, August 15 of every year is the official celebration where the people thank God for all spiritual and material benefits that they enjoy.

A different person sponsors the function every year. This person may be especially thankful to God for special graces received or is seeking for favors from God. He may even distribute money and other goods to show his extreme gratefulness for all his blessings.

Thanksgiving preparations include purchasing of wheat and grain, candles, wine and colored tinsel paper. People then construct a temporary platform/altar adorned with flowers, vines and creepers. People also conduct singing of hymns and prayers faithfully orchestrated by a local village violinist or the choirmaster. The practices seek to show the people's unending faith to the Lord Almighty for graces bestowed on them. Furthermore, the feast of the conception of Mother Mary is also a related Thanksgiving celebration. During this time, farmers cut the first harvest of their corn from the field to offer it to God. It is a way to seek God's favor for a continuing good harvest every year.

In Pakistan, the Muslim people celebrate this Thanksgiving at the end of Ramadan. This celebration is done for three days on the 10th month of the Muslim calendar. People wear their best clothes and go to the mosque to attend their EID prayers or SALATAUL EID. This is also an occasion that younger members of the family pay their respect to the elder relatives. Children usually receive gifts of cash during the occasion. A special meaning to the occasion is that all Muslims are also expected to extend help to their needy brothers.

In Korea, Thanksgiving is a 3 day harvest celebration and the biggest migration event to be seen in the country. The term they use for Thanksgiving is Chusok. During the occasion, almost all inhabitants visit families and ancestral graves. Women prepare food for days or weeks for the harvest celebration that is held at the eldest son's home usually on the paternal lineage. The occasion falls on August 15 on the lunar calendar. Families then partake of foods such as rice, pears, juju beans, chestnuts and sesame seeds. They also use pine bark needles for this special occasion.

We all think that Thanksgiving is just an American tradition but different people may also have their own way to observe this occasion as a universal feeling to express thanks for the gift of life and the bountiful treasures they enjoy on earth. No matter how we celebrate this occasion, it's just the feeling of happiness and solidarity that really matter for this moment of joyous celebration