Harvest Rituals around the World

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Harvest Rituals around the World
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South America
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Potatoes Alive!

• In the Andean Mountains, where potatoes are the
  main crop, many customs surrounding potatoes have
  arisen.
• The mother or woman with the best hands is
  responsible for sowing the seed potatoes.

Photos and information courtesy of
http//www.etcint.org/PDF/COMPAS20Newsletter/No1/
99-1-16.pdf
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• Before the harvest, the people of the region asks
  for blessings from God, Jesus Christ, local
  patron saints and Pachamama, or the mother earth
  goddess.
• During the harvest, two large potatoes,
  representing a makle and female are bound
  together, covered with flowers and buried amid
  the pile of potatoes to ensure the harvested
  potatoes remain vigorous.
• Coca, cigars, and liquour are offered to
  Pachamama for the bountiful potato harvest.

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Asia
Photos courtesy of http//edu.ocac.gov.tw/taiwan/n
ative/english/b/01b.htm
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Rice is King!

• The Paiwans hold a ceremony in which raw millet
  is eaten as a testament to the goodness of their
  gods. Harvest also symbolizes the end of one
  calendar year and the beginning of another.
• The Tsuo travel to the Millet Shrine to make
  offerings to the gods. Slash and burn technique
  is used to clear the field after harvest. All
  are required to travel to the home of their
  ancestors for the harvest.

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For The Ami Tribe, Rice is Nice

• The Ami Harvest ritual begins at night. Despite
  the fact that the Ami culture is a matriarchal
  society, women are not allowed to attend the
  first day of the harvest ritual. The festivities
  last from 1 to 7 days when the women sing the
  closing song. During the festival, young Ami
  women can show their affections toward an Ami
  male by secreting a betel nut into his pocket.

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• The Rukai men bake rice cakes during the August
  Harvest Ritual.
• Yami Harvest Ritual is in a state of transition
  due to the economys change from agriculture
  based to tourist based. Village elders
  traditionally pronounce the time of harvest. The
  harvest is celebrated with millet pounding
  ceremonies as well as the long-haired dance.

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Africa
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7 principals of Kwanzaa

• Umoja- Unity- We help each other.
• Kujichagulia- Self-determination- We decide
  things for ourselves.
• Ujima- Collective work and responsibility. We
  work together to make things better.
• Information courtesy of http//edu.ocac.gov.tw/tai
  wan/native/english/b/01b.htm

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• Ujamma- Cooperative economics. We build and
  support our own businesses.
• Nia- Purpose-We have a reason for living.
• Kuumba-Creativity- We use our minds and hands to
  make things.
• Imani-Faith- We believe in ourselves, our
  ancestors, and our futures

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Europe
Photos and informroation courtesy of
http//www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Harv
est.html
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Harvest Home Ceremonies

• In rural England, Harvest Home, also known as
  Ingathering or Inning, is celebrated in October
  or November. The ceremony involves men, women,
  and children bringing crops from the fields while
  singing the Harvest Home song.
• Throughout Europe, Harvest Dolls have been the
  focal point of harvest rituals. The Harvest
  Queen, a doll made from the last sheaf of the
  crop and decorated in womens clothing, is
  carried on a decorated pole at the front of the
  parade by a harvester. The harvest queen is kept
  safe over the winter and ensures a bountiful crop
  next year by being strewn over the field in the
  spring or fed to the livestock. Though her name
  changes from culture to culture, her prominence
  in the harvest is evident.

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Harvest Dolls
Names for Harvest dolls in European
countries Wales- Wrach Scotland-
Cailleac Poland- Baba Germany- Kornmutter
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Australia
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A Season Away

• Harvest is known as Mabon in Australia
• Mabon occurs around March 22.
• During the festival of Mabon, not only the
  physical harvest is celebrated, but the harvest
  of knowledge and wisdom.

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North America
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Thanksgiving

• The Thanksgiving tradition is drawn from many
  world cultures, including the Native American
  traditions of the harvest.
• During Thanksgiving celebrations, early crops
  such as corn, pumpkin, apples, and cranberries
  are prominently featured, as well as turkey, the
  staple game meat of the early settlers.

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• The original concept of Thanksgiving was
  developed by the early pilgrims who gave thanks
  for safe passage from England. The idea of
  thanksgiving was further fortified when, in 1623
  after enduring a severe drought which ruined
  crops and killed livestock, Governor Bradford
  proclaimed a national day of prayer, a deluge
  followed within the next 24 hours.
• During festivities, prayers of thanksgiving to
  God for sustenance and bountiful relationships
  are offered. In many North American cultures,
  hymns echoing themes of Harvest Home brought from
  the customs of European tradition are sung.