Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thanksgiving and Old World Harvest Festivals

From Medievalists:
 November hearkens the coming of that great American harvest feast wherein we express our gratitude for Nature’s bounty, and for the indigenous people whose generous support ensured the survival of the progenitors of our nation. However, when we dig a little deeper we discover that the tradition of Thanksgiving extends far beyond the borders of the United States. Canada celebrates her own Thanksgiving in October, and Germany’s version, called Erntedankfest, is celebrated either at the end of September or in early October. The November harvest festival that the British-American pilgrims would have been familiar with, prior to their emigration, is the Feast of Saint Martin, or Martinmas.

The first American settlers in New England were British separatists and largely Puritan. Recent history had seen the Protestant Reformation and the birth of the Anglican Church. The Puritans believed that the new Church of England’s reforms did not go far enough in breaking from Catholic tradition; hence the journey to settle new lands and form what they hoped would be a religious utopian life in the New World. We all know the story from here. (Read more.)
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3 comments:

julygirl said...

I always found it odd that people would starve in a land of plenty, but then I am not one who has ever been successful growing my own food so I shouldn't say anything.....

tubbs said...

Glorious painting shown on the referred post - a mid-winter feast depicted, from "The Eve of Saint Agnes."

Michael said...

It was so wonderful to read about the Thanksgiving note. I wish you a happy Thanks giving day