Vibrant Harvest Festivals Around the World

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World’s Most Colorful Harvest Festivals

At the end of the rice harvest, farmers in the West Sumatra race their cows while surfing behind on a wooden plank. The sport -- called Pacu Jawi -- is meant to demonstrate the strength of the herd before they're sold at auction.
At the end of the rice harvest, farmers in West Sumatra race their cows while surfing behind on a wooden plank. The sport, called Pacu Jawi, demonstrates the strength of the herd before they’re sold at auction.
In the 18th century, Barbados was the world’s largest sugar producer, and they celebrated the end of the harvest with a festival. Though no longer a top exporter, the festivities -- called Crop Over -- have become a staple on the cultural calendar.
In the 18th century, Barbados was the world’s largest sugar producer, and they celebrated the end of the harvest with a festival. Although it is no longer a top exporter, the Crop Over festivities have become a cultural staple.
In the Japanese town of Komaki, the autumn bounty is preceded by Honen Matsuri -- or the fertility festival. Shinto priests bless a massive wooden phallus, which they offer to the gods in exchange for a fruitful season.
The autumn bounty in the Japanese town of Komaki is heralded by Honen Matsuri, or the fertility festival. Shinto priests perform blessings using a massive wooden phallus, offering it to the gods for a fruitful season.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a time-honored feature of the American holiday. The event started in 1924 and features balloons and floats of popular cartoon characters and pop culture icons.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, is a cherished part of the American holiday, showcasing balloons and floats representing popular cartoon characters and cultural icons.
The Moon Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in China and Vietnam. The festival has many customs, though one of the most popular is the consumption of mooncakes -- pastries stuffed with a variety of sweet pastes.
The Moon Festival, celebrated in China and Vietnam, features many customs; among the most popular is the enjoyment of mooncakes, delectable pastries filled with various sweet pastes.
In some communities in Greece and Cyprus, Epiphany Day is celebrated by the blessing of the nearest body of water. A bishop throws a crucifix into the seas, at which point several volunteers dive in to fetch it. The lucky captor is said to have have good luck for the remainder of the year.
In Greece and Cyprus, Epiphany Day is honored with the blessing of local waters. A bishop tosses a crucifix into the sea, inspiring volunteers to dive in; the one who retrieves it receives luck for the year.
In the Jewish faith, Sukkot is a harvest festival, and also a religious holiday. The celebration lasts for seven days, and involves building a sukkah, or temporary house. Sometimes, it's traditional to decorate with hanging fruit.
Sukkot, a significant harvest festival in the Jewish tradition, spans seven days and includes the construction of a sukkah, or temporary dwelling. It is also customary to decorate with hanging fruits.
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival widely celebrated in the south of India. On the third day, celebrants honor their cows, and gift them with garlands of flowers and beads. In preparation, vendors stock up on colorful flora.
Pongal, a vibrant four-day harvest festival, is prominently observed in southern India. On the third day, participants express gratitude towards their cows, adorning them with floral garlands and beads, while vendors prepare with a bounty of colorful flora.

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