Te Za (Yam Festival) – Ghana

In Ghana, the Ewe people take part in Te Za, an annual harvest festival celebrating the end of the rainy season and the cultivation of yams, a staple crop of the country. While the origin of yam cultivation in Ghana is unknown, oral history tells the story of a hunter who went on an expedition during a famine and discovered a yam in the forest. Instead of bringing it back to the village, he decided to hide it in the soil. When he returned, the yam had germinated and grown, starting yam cultivation in the country. Highlighted by feasts, dances, parades and, you guessed it, consuming yams, Te Za acts as a time to offer prayers for good health and prosperity for all.

Olivagando – Magione, Italy

In Europe, Italy has its own harvest festival, known as “Olivagando.” A celebration of la dolce goccia or “the sweet drop,” Olivagando observes the importance and cultural impact of olive oil. During this two-day festival, oil mills, olive growers, companies and connoisseurs come together to sample and celebrate the production and consumption of olive oil across Italy – as well as enjoy an array of delightful Italian treats, including wine, cheese, cured meats, truffles, walnuts and chestnuts.

Lammas – United Kingdom

Taking place on August 1, a bit earlier than other harvest festivals, Lammas marks the beginning of the harvest season in the United Kingdom and is characterized by the baking of countless loaves of bread. Derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, “loaf-mass”, Lammas marks the blessing of the First Fruits of the harvest.

Thanksgiving – Massachusetts, US

Traditionally associated with meals of roasted turkey, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie, the origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621. After a brutal winter wiped out nearly half of the Pilgrim population, a grand feast took place in late September, following the first harvest in the new world. This event, commonly referred to as “The First Thanksgiving,” took place over the course of three days and saw peace and unity between the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag population.

While Thanksgiving celebrations took place annually (even President Lincoln declared November 26 as a national day of thanksgiving), it wasn’t until nearly 220 years later when Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.

An annual expression of gratitude and a day of togetherness, Thanksgiving has evolved since its inception, but the core values of peace and appreciation for those around us hold true to this day and define Thanksgiving as a quintessential American holiday.