Text: “Every Thanksgiving, my family and I celebrate thanksgiving in Chicago. My mom, brother, and I will always travel to celebrate with my Uncle, aunt, and cousins who live in Chicago. We have been celebrating Thanksgiving in Chicago for as long as I can remember. Our family has a typical thanksgiving dinner with traditional foods such as a smoked turkey, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, rolls, etc. As an Indian family we also often have traditional Indian foods as well.”

Context: The informant, D, shared this ritual during a conversation about holiday traditions. D explained that she and her family always celebrate Thanksgiving in Chicago with their extended family. As D is Indian, her family also includes Indian dishes along with traditional Thanksgiving foods. To D, this ritual represents family unity and cultural blending.

Analysis: This is an example of a life-cycle calendar ritual that combines both ethnic and national traditions. Despite Thanksgiving being an American holiday, D’s family adapts it to reflect their own cultural identity by serving traditional Indian foods. This blending shows how traditional holidays can be adapted to specific cultures, allowing families to celebrate their heritage in all settings. The annual trip to Chicago emphasizes the importance of family connection, while the inclusion of Indian food showcases how ritual meals can be adapted to reflect cultural identity across generations.