Chuseok

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, dates back to ancient Korea. Its origins are linked to the Gabae harvest festival of the Silla period (57 BC – 935 AD). According to Korean folklore, a weaving contest called gabae was held during the month of the harvest moon, and the winning team would host a feast. Over time, this evolved into a communal thanksgiving celebration. The modern name 'Chuseok' means 'autumn evening' and was solidified during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), when Confucian ancestor rites became central to the festival. It is believed that the tradition of visiting ancestral graves and performing memorial services (charye) during Chuseok was influenced by Confucianism, which emphasizes filial piety and respect for ancestors.

On Chuseok, South Koreans travel to their hometowns for family reunions. A key custom is charye, a memorial service held at home where the family sets up a table with newly harvested rice, fruit, and traditional foods like songpyeon (half-moon-shaped rice cakes steamed on pine needles) and tteok (rice cakes). After the rite, the family shares the food. Another important practice is seongmyo, visiting ancestral graves to clean and maintain them, often followed by a simple offering. Folk games include ganggangsullae, a circle dance performed by women under the full moon, and ssireum, a traditional wrestling competition. Many also wear hanbok, the traditional Korean attire. In modern times, urban families may simplify rituals, but the core of family bonding and gratitude remains.

Chuseok is a time to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for abundance, while also honoring ancestors through rituals that strengthen family lineage. It reinforces filial piety and family solidarity, as families come together regardless of distance. The festival also preserves traditional culture, from food and clothing to games and rites, passing them down through generations.