By Robert Strybel, Polish/Polonian Affairs Writer
Although not a celebration of Polish origin, it shares its roots with Poland’s Dożynki or harvest festival, a time to thank God for His bounty and share it with others. Some have compared its spirit to that of the Polish Wigilia. Some Americans go skiing or bask in the Caribbean over Christmas, but feel it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving if they didn’t meet up and break bread with their loved ones.
Thanksgiving is now celebrated by the vast majority of PolAms. But besides roast turkey with all the trimmings, the Polonian Thanksgiving spread may also includes some Polish delicacies such as bigos, gołąbki, pierogi, meatballs in mushroom gravy or kiełbasa z kapustą not to mention pączki, placek, szarlotka or chruściki.
Jan Ciosmak, a late uncle of mine, had worked in an Erie, PA rolling-stock shop in the early 20th century. According to him, Polish immigrants there called the holiday “Cziken Dej.” Apparently they found “Thanksgiving” was too much of a tongue-twister. One can imagine that many an Anglo would say the same of its Polish translation – “Święto Dziękczynienia.”
