Chuseok is a holiday that all the Korean people celebrated. Itโs one of the most important holidays in Korea. In fact, from the country where I came from, I never had this experience on this holiday before. Though, I was excited to experience Chuseok with Local people in the other words to be a part of a Korean family. This holiday is held in September annually varies from year to year base on the lunar calendar. Last year falls from September 30 to October 2, 2020, which was 3 days long weekend. It has several things to do during this holiday which means things must be prepared. Havenโt got a chance to experience Chuseok yet? Donโt worry, let me take you to experience this together through this article.
About Chuseok
Chuseok (์ถ์) is originally known as Hangawi (ํ๊ฐ์). The name of a great seasonal holiday that celebrates the harvest. Falls on the 15th day of the 8th full moon consistent with the lunar calendar. Besides, itโs Korean Thanksgiving. It isnโt only the day of family reunions but also the day to form a wish for the prosperity of the following year. Also, for few families like mine, itโs considered paying homage to the ancestors too. The symbolic food is a rice cake (๋ก) referred to as Songpyeon (์กํธ).
About Food
Jeon (์ )
Talking about Chuseok, additionally to the main dessert like Songpyeon, also have Jeon too. Itโs the name of the Korean Pancake that we eat during this holiday, made of colorful food and vegetables. It has other kinds of Jeon as well, such as fish slices, tofu, etc.
Songpyeon (์กํธ)
Songpyeon or are going to be called mooncakes or, stuffed dough half mooncakes. Itโs a traditional dessert made from glutinous rice flour blended with nuts and sugar. Which Koreans had a belief that a woman who can roll it into a perfect half moon shape, she will have a lovely daughter. But things change nowadays, Its shapes depending on each personโs favor not based on belief as much as before.
What do we do during Chuseok?
Preparing food
On this holiday, we had tons of food, especially Jeon. We spend all day long on the first day of the holiday, chatting and fried all of Jeon that weโve prepared. Admittedly, I really like this activity such a lot even it pains my waist but itโs well worth the experience.
Charye (์ฐจ๋ก)
Early the holiday morning, we dress politely in wearing black socks. In order to make an offering to the ancestors, the atmosphere that morning was energetic. An offering food was beautifully arranged, including Jeon and Songpyeon. After weโve completed the ceremony. Before having breakfast together weโll turn off the lights. Itโs a belief that our ancestors will receive an offering of food that weโve prepared. As the matter of fact, itโs quite similar to the ceremony in my country.
Seongmyo (์ฑ๋ฌ)
Normally we visited our ancestorโs graves after finished the Charye ceremony and breakfast. But for a few families, to avoid the crowd and convenient to take care of the orderliness of the graves. Usually, my Korean family tends to visits the grave a couple of days before or after the holiday.
Eating
As all you know that this holiday celebrates the harvest. Surely, eating is one of the main things we do during Chuseok. Together with, share our stories with family too. In order to fully recharge during the long weekend before returning to our responsibilities.
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