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Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is one of the most important and festive holidays in South Korea. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar with a full moon, which typically falls in September or October.
The origins of Chuseok are believed to date back to Korea's agrarian past when farming communities held harvest festivals to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. Over time, these festivities evolved into the modern Chuseok holiday.
Ancestral Worship (Charye): Families perform memorial services for their ancestors, presenting food offerings at their graves or at home altars.
Songpyeon: The preparation and sharing of songpyeon, a traditional Korean rice cake that is steamed over pine needles, is central to Chuseok celebrations.
Folk Games: People engage in traditional games such as ssireum (Korean wrestling), archery, and folk dances during the holiday.
Wearing Hanbok: Many Koreans wear hanbok, traditional Korean attire, during Chuseok festivities.
Today's Chuseok celebrations focus on family reunions. People travel from across the country to visit their ancestral hometowns. This mass migration is known as "Chuseok exodus" and can lead to heavily congested roads.
Feasting: Families gather for elaborate feasts featuring traditional Korean dishes like bulgogi (marinated beef), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and various types of kimchi.
Sharing Gifts: It is customary to give gifts such as fresh fruit, premium beef, or local specialties to relatives and business associates in the weeks leading up to Chuseok.
Enjoying Cultural Events: Many communities organize special cultural events and performances during the holiday period.
Chuseok not only celebrates the harvest but also reinforces family bonds and cultural identity among Koreans. Despite modernization, it remains a time-honored tradition deeply rooted in gratitude and familial respect.