- Chusok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiving, is held on the
15th day of the 8th lunar month. Chusok means a great day
in the middle of August. It occurs during the harvest
season. Thus, Korean families take this time to thank
their ancestors for providing them with rice and fruits.
The celebration starts on the night before Chusok and
ends on the day after the holiday. Thus, many Korean families take three
days off from work to get together with family and friends.
The celebration starts with a family get-together at
which rice cakes called "Songphyun" are served. These
special rice cakes are made of rice, beans, sesame seeds, and
chestnuts. Then the family pays respect to ancestors by visiting
their tombs and offering them rice and fruits. In the
evening, children wear their favorite hanbok (traditional Korean
clothing) and dance under the bright moon in a large
circle. They play
games and sing songs. Like the American Thanksgiving, Chusok is the
time to celebrate the family and give thanks for their blessings.
