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Travel
World’s Most Colorful Harvest Festivals
At the end of the rice harvest, farmers in West Sumatra race their cows while surfing behind on a wooden plank. The sport, called Pacu Jawi, demonstrates the strength of the herd before they’re sold at auction.In the 18th century, Barbados was the world’s largest sugar producer, and they celebrated the end of the harvest with a festival. Although it is no longer a top exporter, the Crop Over festivities have become a cultural staple.The autumn bounty in the Japanese town of Komaki is heralded by Honen Matsuri, or the fertility festival. Shinto priests perform blessings using a massive wooden phallus, offering it to the gods for a fruitful season.The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, is a cherished part of the American holiday, showcasing balloons and floats representing popular cartoon characters and cultural icons.The Moon Festival, celebrated in China and Vietnam, features many customs; among the most popular is the enjoyment of mooncakes, delectable pastries filled with various sweet pastes.In Greece and Cyprus, Epiphany Day is honored with the blessing of local waters. A bishop tosses a crucifix into the sea, inspiring volunteers to dive in; the one who retrieves it receives luck for the year.Sukkot, a significant harvest festival in the Jewish tradition, spans seven days and includes the construction of a sukkah, or temporary dwelling. It is also customary to decorate with hanging fruits.Pongal, a vibrant four-day harvest festival, is prominently observed in southern India. On the third day, participants express gratitude towards their cows, adorning them with floral garlands and beads, while vendors prepare with a bounty of colorful flora.
