Most countries worldwide set aside time to give thanks or celebrate a harvest. In the United States and Canada, we call it Thanksgiving; in Swaziland, it’s called Incwala, in Argentina, they have the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, and in Germany, the people celebrate Erntedankfest. But what is Erntedankfest? Does the whole family come together? Do they eat Turkey and pumpkin pie, or is it Schweinebraten? Why exactly are they giving thanks? Let me share a few Erntedankfest traditions and explain how it compares to an American Thanksgiving.
Erntedankfest is Celebrated the First Sunday of October
What is Erntedankfest?
Growing up in the US, I knew that on the 4th Thursday in November, there would be Turkey for dinner in many homes. Maybe some stuffing, sweet potatoes… green beans, and pumpkin pie. (I’m sure I’m not the only one whose German mom preferred making a pork roast, but that’s another story.) In school, we colored Pilgrims and made Indian Headbands. Thanksgiving was a way of celebrating a successful Harvest after a tough start in the United States. The settlers were thankful for surviving and growing enough crops to see them through the winter. It is a secular holiday, not based on religious tradition.
Ertedankfest goes back a little further than that; there is evidence that Erntedankfest celebrations happened thousands of years ago. In Germany, Erntedankfest (literally translated as “thanks for the harvest festival“) is a religious holiday and is celebrated both in the Catholic and Protestant churches. The altar is decorated with sheaves of wheat and the fruits of the harvest. There is singing, celebration, and often a second service in the evening. After the second service, many communities have a Lanternumzug (Lantern Parade) like St Martin’s Day, and fireworks in some communities.
Erntedankfest started as a rural festival. It was a way of giving thanks for the Harvest and finally relaxing after months of work. Today, even though harvesting is done with machines, people still give thanks and celebrate.
Alter Photo- Wikipedia commons by By J.-H. Janßen
When is Erntedankfest?
In 1972, the Catholic Church decreed that Erntedankfest be celebrated on the first Sunday in October, which is the first Sunday after Michaelstag (Michaelmas) on September 29. (Why, then? Michaelstag is close to the Fall Equinox and is one of the four dividing days of the Church Calendar. Tradition says that all harvest must be completed by Michaelmas so the farmer can move on to the winter phase of the cycle.)
In 2024, Oct. 6 is the first Sunday in October
Today, many communities celebrate on that first Sunday, but others may celebrate later in October, depending on the crops harvested. In wine-growing regions, they call it Winzerfest!
A few communities make a 3-day celebration out of the Erntedankfest. In Dusseldorf-Urdenbach, celebrations begin on Friday night with a Mass. On Saturday, they complete the preparations by decorating the church and having a dance party. Sunday, there is Mass, then a concert at Piel’s Loch, a feast of local specialties, and then a parade with all 40 participating groups wearing traditional clothing and driving decorated tractors. The weekend is fun, with rides for kids and delicious food booths for everyone.
Some Erntedankfest Traditions
The Church Altar is typically decorated with large crowns of wheat to represent the continuing seasons and a display of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Big decorated bread loaves make a beautiful addition to the display.
In some communities, baskets filled with locally harvested produce and bread baked from local grain are blessed and distributed to the needy.
Many communities choose a Harvest Queen, who wears a wreath made of wheat on her head. The Harvest Queen leads the Harvest parade.
In Pommern, the last sheath of grain from the field is fashioned into a figure called “Der Alte,” the Old One. There is a superstition that if a girl tied this last sheath, she would never marry or would end up with an old crippled husband (I’m guessing they found a sturdy wife or a man to bind that last sheath up). People transport the Alte to the local lord of the Manor, who would give them a bag of money to pay for refreshments.
Erntekkrone, Harvest Crown, is a wreath built on a pole. The base would naturally be wheat, but it would then be decorated with ribbon and paper flowers (similar to a Maypole). The Erntekrone would then hang prominently at the home of the family hosting the Harvest celebrations.
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Erntedankfest in Spreewald
In the evening, children participate in Laterneumzuge or Lantern Parades, similar to the St Martin Parades.
One very old tradition says that in order to keep the “Grain Demon” away from your crops, you must weave or braid together the last three, seven, or nine head of grain in a beautiful pattern, and keep it in the house as a good fortune-bearer. The next spring this grain would be the first ones sown.
Of course, no Church Service would be complete without the singing of “Nun Danket alle Gott” (Now Thank We all our God”)
Wenn wir zum Erntedankfest gehn (Lied zu Erntedank)AMAZON.DE
What are some Traditional Erntedankfest Foods
Erntedankfest Meals typically contain loads of freshly harvested produce. Wheat and honeycomb play an essential role. Bread is always on the table, often a specially decorated loaf.
In recent years, thanks to Television and Travel, Turkey has made an appearance on the Erntedankfest table. Alternatively, people will serve a capon or other large roasted bird.
Essen und Trinken (my favorite German Cooking Magazine) has some excellent recipes for an Erntedankfest Buffet… Click here to see–>Erntedankfest Buffet
So, What is Erntedankfest?
Erntedankfest is a celebration of the Harvest. It’s a way of thanking God for the gifts of the earth, and an end to the Season of hard work.
I wish you a Happy and Blessed Erntedankfest.
