Chuseok

Chuseok

                  There are many holidays in my country like the United State. We have New year’s day, Valentine day, April Fool’s day, etc. I will talk about the Chuseok in my country. It is similar Thanksgiving day in the United State.

In Korea, there is a harvest holiday. It’s named Chuseok. Korea is located in East of Asia. It is located between China and Japan. The language is Korean. The population is 73million. The capital city is Seoul.

                   Chuseok is in August 14th to 16th of lunar calendar. It’s duration three days in middle of autumn. We have day off three days and take a time with family. We celebrate harvest. It started a long time ago. The origin of Chuseok started during the reign of the third king of the kingdom of Shilla (57 BC - AD 935). At that time they celebrate and have a big party in town but nowadays Chuseok is smaller than that. We return to hometown and celebrate with all generation.

                  At that time, we play a special game with family. Yut-Nori is that game name. It’s a traditional board game. Also, We wear a special clothe. It’s called Hanbok. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. We eat Koran traditional food, songpyeon. Songpyeon made of glutinous rice. It looks a half-moon-shape. It contain different kinds of sweet filling, such as sesame seeds and honey, sweet red bean paste, and chestnut. Sometimes older people drink rice wine.

                  People perform ancestral worship rituals early in the morning. We often visit the tomb to trim plants and clean the area around the tomb, and offer food, drink and crops to our ancestors. In lunch time, we have a big meal with family. In the night, people go to the park or hill to see the full moon. They watch the full moon and make a wish.

                  Chuseok is the Korean traditional holiday. We celebrate harvest and take a time with family.