"Chuseok Day" by Ashley Jo
While America has Thanksgiving Day, Korea has Chuseok.
Chuseok is known as the “Korean Thanksgiving Day” and occurs according to the Korean lunar calendar, making the date of this nationwide holiday vary from year to year. However, it always comes around the time of the Autumnal Equinox, sometime in between late September and early October, when the Sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length. This year, Chuseok is celebrated on Thursday, October 1st in South Korea, but the entire holiday period actually lasts for 3 days — including the days before and after Chuseok. Similar to the American holiday of Thanksgiving, Chuseok celebrates the year’s harvest while spending quality time with family.
There are multiple beliefs held about the origins of Chuseok. One popular belief dates back 200 years ago to the reign of the 3rd king of Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom. The king ordered a month-long weaving contest between two teams and rewarded the winning team with a feast and other prizes. Another belief explains that Chuseok was supposed to celebrate Silla’s defeat to its rival kingdom Baekje. Legend says that the king at the time, King Uija, found a turtle with unusual markings on its shell. His advisors exclaimed “Baekje full moon, Silla half room,” meaning that when Baekje falls, Silla will rise to power.
Like many holidays, Chuseok is filled with fun activities and delicious foods for the whole family to enjoy. Koreans take the time to pay respect to their ancestors by setting food and incense for them, a tradition called “charye.” Foods served during this memorial service include “japchae,” a stir-fry of glass noodles and vegetables, and “songpyeon,” rice cakes filled with a variety of assortment. People also partake in “ssireum,” a traditional Korean wrestling sport that challenges one’s strength and skill. Women participate in “ganggangsullae” in which they hold hands and dance around in a circle. This ceremony originates from the idea of giving enemies the impression that the army had more soldiers than it actually did.
Attire during this period of celebration includes the “hanbok,” a traditional Korean dress for any semi-formal and formal event. Both men and women wear “durumagi,” or the outer jacket usually adorned with variously colorful lines. Men can choose to wear a free-flowing skirt or pants, while women traditionally wear a “chima” dress.
Although this holiday is primarily celebrated in South Korea, people of all nationalities can celebrate this joyous holiday. Spending quality time with your family while enjoying delicious food and fun games never hurt anyone!