The Harvest is cause for celebration for those at YSU
Melissa Mary Smith REPORTER
Issue date: 10/21/08 Section: Features
For some YSU students, the autumn months are a time of celebration, whether it's because of the leaves changing into an endless variety of colors, or the approaching popular holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
During this time of year though, many may overlook another notable celebration: the harvest.
YSU religion professor and director of Africana studies, Victor Wan-Tatah, explained how Kwanzaa, a December holiday, is an example of religious celebration of the harvest.
"In Africa, when it's the season of the harvest, people recognize the value and the importance of food, the earth from where the food comes from and celebrate that in thanksgiving, so to say," Wan-Tatah said.
Wan-Tatah also said Kwanzaa is broken up into seven days and deals with faith, community cooperation and responsibility for each other and the environment in which we live.
The harvest also is significant for some students.
Senior Kelsi Garwood said this time of year has always been her favorite and that the harvest has had significance in her life while growing up on a farm in Leetonia.
"You don't have to be a farmer, but when you work the land, you have a greater respect for it and its powers," Garwood said.
Although her family stopped farming five years ago, Garwood's schedule is packed this fall, from having friends and family over to pick and decorate pumpkins and gourds to inviting family over for a large Thanksgiving feast.
Freshman Kyle Metzger, who is Wiccan, said he celebrates the harvest and approaching Pagan holiday, Sam Hain, by spending time alone, remembering past family and friends, meditating and wearing fall appropriate colors.
"It's kind of the end of things, time to tie up loose ends, time to finish what you started," Metzger said.
Junior Torrey Derda, also Wiccan, said there are three Pagan harvest holidays: Lughnash, occurring in August which is a time for giving thanks for the harvest, Mabon, in September which is a holiday of mourning and celebration and this month is Sam Hain, which is a day for remembrance of the dead.
Derda said paganism and these holidays have their origins in ancient farming and herding cultures where holidays are set up around equinoxes, solstices and cross quarters.
Sam Hain is a major holiday for Derda, who says he tries to get everyone together to celebrate.
"It's a time of just remembrance," Derda said.
Derda and his friends gather together to have a feast in complete silence as Sam Hain is believed to be a time when the dead, namely friends and family, return to life to join their loved ones amongst the living.
During this time of year though, many may overlook another notable celebration: the harvest.
YSU religion professor and director of Africana studies, Victor Wan-Tatah, explained how Kwanzaa, a December holiday, is an example of religious celebration of the harvest.
"In Africa, when it's the season of the harvest, people recognize the value and the importance of food, the earth from where the food comes from and celebrate that in thanksgiving, so to say," Wan-Tatah said.
Wan-Tatah also said Kwanzaa is broken up into seven days and deals with faith, community cooperation and responsibility for each other and the environment in which we live.
The harvest also is significant for some students.
Senior Kelsi Garwood said this time of year has always been her favorite and that the harvest has had significance in her life while growing up on a farm in Leetonia.
"You don't have to be a farmer, but when you work the land, you have a greater respect for it and its powers," Garwood said.
Although her family stopped farming five years ago, Garwood's schedule is packed this fall, from having friends and family over to pick and decorate pumpkins and gourds to inviting family over for a large Thanksgiving feast.
Freshman Kyle Metzger, who is Wiccan, said he celebrates the harvest and approaching Pagan holiday, Sam Hain, by spending time alone, remembering past family and friends, meditating and wearing fall appropriate colors.
"It's kind of the end of things, time to tie up loose ends, time to finish what you started," Metzger said.
Junior Torrey Derda, also Wiccan, said there are three Pagan harvest holidays: Lughnash, occurring in August which is a time for giving thanks for the harvest, Mabon, in September which is a holiday of mourning and celebration and this month is Sam Hain, which is a day for remembrance of the dead.
Derda said paganism and these holidays have their origins in ancient farming and herding cultures where holidays are set up around equinoxes, solstices and cross quarters.
Sam Hain is a major holiday for Derda, who says he tries to get everyone together to celebrate.
"It's a time of just remembrance," Derda said.
Derda and his friends gather together to have a feast in complete silence as Sam Hain is believed to be a time when the dead, namely friends and family, return to life to join their loved ones amongst the living.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tony Myer
posted 10/26/08 @ 11:03 AM EST
Actually, Kwanzaa is NOT a religious holiday. You should correct this mistake as it is very misleading. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday and is NOT in any way, shape or form connected to a religion. (Continued…)
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