Introduction
Chuseok (추석), often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in South Korea. Seollal and Chuseok are the two most important holidays in Korea which is similar to Christmas in the West.This annual harvest festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, typically occurring in September or early October. Growing up in a Vietnamese household I also celebrate “Tet Trung Thu” so the tradition is not very foreign to me. But the customs and tradition is slightly different from what I know back home. Today I will share how the customs and traditions are in Korea.
Historical Significance
Chuseok's roots can be traced back to ancient times when Korea was primarily an agrarian society. It was a time to give thanks for the year's harvest and to honor one's ancestors. The festival's name, "Chuseok," literally means "autumn eve," signifying the beginning of the autumn season.
Significance of Rice Cakes in Chuseok
Rice cakes, particularly songpyeon, play a central role in Chuseok celebrations. There are several reasons why Koreans eat a lot of rice cakes during this holiday:
- Abundance from harvest: Chuseok coincides with the rice harvest season, making rice extremely abundant. This abundance naturally led to the creation and gifting of rice cakes as a way to share the harvest's bounty.
- Symbolic meaning: Songpyeon, the half-moon shaped rice cakes, represent the wish for abundance and prosperity. The shape is believed to bring good fortune.
- Traditional offering: Rice cakes are an essential part of the ancestral offerings during Charye (memorial rites). They symbolize respect and gratitude towards ancestors.
- Family bonding: Making songpyeon is often a family activity, bringing generations together to prepare for the holiday.
- Seasonal significance: Rice cakes made with newly harvested rice represent the fruits of the year's labor, fitting for a harvest festival.
- Cultural preservation: Continuing the tradition of eating rice cakes during Chuseok helps maintain an important aspect of Korean cultural heritage.
- Gift-giving custom: The abundance of rice during harvest season made rice cakes an ideal gift. Sharing these treats became a way to spread joy and strengthen community bonds during the festival.
The prevalence of rice cakes during Chuseok reflects not just the agricultural cycle and culinary preferences, but also deep-rooted cultural values, traditions, and the spirit of sharing that are central to the holiday's spirit.
Modern Celebration
Today, Chuseok remains a time for family reunions, ancestral rituals, and traditional customs. Here are some key aspects of the modern Chuseok celebration:
- Family Gatherings: Koreans often travel to their hometowns to spend time with family, leading to one of the busiest travel periods in the country.
- Ancestral Rituals (Charye): Families perform ceremonial rites to honor their ancestors, offering food and drink at home altars or visiting ancestral graves.
- Traditional Foods: Special dishes are prepared, with songpyeon (half-moon shaped rice cakes) being the most iconic Chuseok food.
- Folk Games: Traditional games like ssireum (Korean wrestling) and ganggangsullae (a Korean circle dance) are often played.
Chuseok Customs
Several customs are associated with Chuseok:
- Seongmyo: Visiting ancestral graves to pay respects and tidy up the burial sites.
- Charye: The memorial service held at home to honor ancestors.
- Gift-giving: It's customary to exchange gifts with family members and close friends.
Impact on Korean Society
Chuseok significantly impacts Korean society:
- Economic Effects: The holiday period sees increased consumer spending on gifts, food, and travel.
- Cultural Preservation: Chuseok helps maintain traditional Korean customs and values in a rapidly modernizing society.
- Social Dynamics: The holiday can highlight changing family structures and gender roles in contemporary Korea.
Chuseok for Foreigners
For foreigners in Korea, Chuseok offers a unique opportunity to experience Korean culture deeply. Many Koreans are happy to include foreign friends in their celebrations, providing a chance to participate in traditional customs and taste special holiday foods. The city will become quieter than usual and a lot of neighborhood stores will close. But as most foreigners don’t have families in Korea, and will most likely spend the time among other foreign friends and do a mix it up with their home country’s traditions. I luckily had a chance to spend the holiday with friends in a Guesthouse and we prepared meals and ate together. We also exchanged gifts and just enjoyed each other’s company it was a fun experience.
Traveling During Chuseok
Given their limited vacation days, Koreans often use the two major holidays as an opportunity to travel abroad or return to their hometowns within the country.Traveling during Chuseok holidays is generally not recommended for tourists or those without family obligations in Korea. Here's why:
- Skyrocketing prices: Due to high demand, prices for accommodation, transportation, and even some services can increase significantly during this period.
- Extreme traffic congestion: Highways and major roads become extremely congested as millions of Koreans travel to their hometowns. What would normally be a few hours' drive can turn into an all-day journey.
- Closed businesses: Many restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions may be closed or have limited hours during the holiday period.
- Crowded tourist spots: Popular tourist destinations that remain open can be exceptionally crowded as many Koreans also use this time for domestic travel.
If you must travel during Chuseok, it's advisable to book everything well in advance and be prepared for higher costs and potential inconveniences. For tourists, it might be better to plan your visit to Korea outside of major holiday periods like Chuseok and Seollal to enjoy a more relaxed and cost-effective experience.
Conclusion
Chuseok remains a vital part of Korean culture, blending ancient traditions with modern celebrations. It's a time that embodies the importance of family, respect for ancestors, and gratitude for nature's bounty in Korean society. Whether you're Korean or a visitor to the country, experiencing Chuseok offers invaluable insights into the heart of Korean culture and traditions.
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Kim Ninja (Huy-Kim Nguyen)
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But for Koreans, Chuseok is all about family, tradition, and gratitude 🙏:
