Thanksgiving Day in Saint Lucia
In Saint Lucia, Thanksgiving Day is a special holiday observed on the first Monday in October. Like other Thanksgiving celebrations, this holiday gives thanks for the island’s bounty, but the one in St. Lucia is a bit different from other celebrations.
Saint Lucia (Public holiday)Instead of celebrating the founding of a European settlement, as Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving celebrations do, this one celebrates a harvest festival that has been observed on the islands for hundreds of years. This is a day for communities to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and be thankful for the harvest. It’s also a good day to be thankful for other blessings as well.
The History Of Thanksgiving Day In Saint Lucia
The word “harvest” comes from the Old English word “hærfest,” which traditionally meant “harvest.” Harvest celebrations have been held in Saint Lucia since before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Of course, many of these ancient traditions performed by the original Kalinago Caribs and Arawak have mingled with European Thanksgiving traditions and African traditions over the centuries to create a unique holiday experience on this Eastern Caribbean island.
Observing Thanksgiving Day In Saint Lucia
Even though this holiday is a day off for the population of Saint Lucia, and many government offices, schools, and businesses are closed, it’s not a particularly popular holiday among native islanders.
In fact, there are some islanders who choose not to celebrate this holiday at all and simply enjoy their time off work. However, for those who do celebrate this holiday, it’s a day to spend time with friends and loved ones and to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest.
It’s also a day of rest and for enjoying music, dancing, and sporting events. To spread the word about this holiday, the hashtag #ThanksgivingSaintLucia can be used on social media.
Saint Lucia (Public holiday)
