Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-21
OBSERVED AROUND WORLD
Thanksgiving in Various Forms Noted
Among Many Peoples.
AMERICANS BOOST THE DAY
A Festival Bowling Down the Gem
turtles Holds Its own Readily
Among Modern Inven-
lions.

Thanksgiving day is the only one Of our
general holidays which may be said to be
unique. The truth Of this assertion is
realized when we recall the almost uni
versal observance Of Christmas. Easter and
New Years day. Even independence day
has its prototype on the caleI dars Of other
lanCs. But Thanksgiving appears to be
distinctly an American holiday, without its
counterpart among other nations. The feel
ing of thanksgiving, OF rejoicing and pleas
ire, however, is one which all humanity
shares. Consequently there are occasions
In the records Of all countries when the
spirit Of good cheer and Of reverent graft
tude is predominant. Although such events
nay not yet have attained the dignity OF
a rational holiday. they are none the less
real Thanksgiving days.
Such an Observance occurred in Leyden,
Holland, October 3, 1915. when the deliver
ance Of the city from siege was conmemor-
ated In a day set apart for the purpose
: Just az the grateful Puritans on the shores
Of the new world, half a century later,
celebrated their release from dire stress
and peril. 1t was thirty-three years before
Governor Bradford's famous first Thanks
giving day that England enjoyed a thanks
giving day over the defeat Of the Spanish
Armada. Days Of rejoicing have been Oh
served in Russia to signalize the escape of
yne ruler from attempted assassination.
eFrance, too. has had its special thanksgiv-
fg a In oriental lands It is rIe custom
to appoint days Of Thanksgiving. both
public and private, for what are regarded
- epoch-making events-the birthday OF a
ruler, the birth Of an heir or the marriage
~ a daughter.
Goes Away Back.
Harvest home festivals. which are a
species OF thanksgiving feasts, have been
me order in England, II is said, since the
4Aues OF the Druids. Similar observances
are In vogue In Japan and in China at the
close of a successful harvest. The Hebrews.
IN whatever part Of the globe they are
Z located, celebrate In some fashion the
ancient harvest feast OF ingathering."
which more nearly approaches in spirit and
purpose our American Thanksgiving holi.
day than that in any other land. COM
memorating as II does the struggles Of a
migrating, intensive body Of people seeking
freedom for national development along
lines OF their own individuality and pur-
pose.
In Turkey, among the
~Nf'AS RA'hANa - lie ut
occasion of a thanksgiving ceremonial and
feast. At such times the company meets
IN the courtyard OF the dwelling. and.
dancing in a circle about the convalescent,
they first play gay trum music.
ana atterward, sitting on the ground, sing
a chant OF thanksgiving for his recovery.
Then they each take the patient by the
hand and offer congratulations and good
wishes. This ceremony is followed by the
feast. a tender roast kid or 'fatted calf"
eaten with thin pieces of board used as
spoons. With a parting prayer the OBJ
servance ends.
Primitive Observance.
A primitive thanksgiving observance is
that which is celebrated in Old Mexico.
where bread for the Thanksgiving feast
is ground from corn or beans on the alb
original stone. A large catch of fish, cap
tured by the native method Of poisoning
the stream with agave juice and stupefy-
Ing the fish, is the signal for a general
Thanksgiving feast and dance. BY fish
l2g through holes in the ice, the native
Alaskan manages to get material for his
thanksgiving feast, which is greatly aug
mented II walrus meat, the most highly
priced item on tho meagre bill-of-fsre.
ran be added to II. The Alaskan, appar-
NAA19 nus iNeS AAAa any ONllC llllldblldul
Of the globe to be thankful for, yet he
observes his Thanksgiving day no less
earnestly.
Wherever, the world around, the Amerl-
can is found. there Thanksgiving day is
observed as nearly as possible after the
Anglican fashion At Rome. Italy, the
AmNican college gives a Thanksgiving
luncheon; and a Thanksgiving service is
held at the American church, where the
collection is usually forwarded for some
charitable enterprise in the home land
4lNfre is no turkey dinner for the Ameri.
esus down in the Panama canal country
Thanksgiving time. Beef, cocoanuts
and pineapples take the place Of Gran.
berry sauce, pumpkin pie and turkey. In.
stead OF a foot ball game, the 1000 or more
Americans on the isthmus seek relief from
the dust and noise Of the hot towns by
refreshing excursions on the water.
1fanada, our northern neighbor, is the
Dnly one OF the countries which has Taller
into the fashion OF our Thangsgivlng home
holiday, by appointing a special day foi
rejoicing and praise. The day chosen is in
October, and marks a harvest festival, a.