Yalda is one of the most celebrated traditional events in
Iran which marks the longest night of the year.
Every year, on December 21st, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness on
yalda Night.
On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness.
The longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) until well after midnight.
On the eve of Yalda bonfires are lit outside and family and friends gather around a Korsi, a low square table covered by a blanket overhanging o all sides with a heater placed under the table.
People are usually gathered in the house of the eldest in the family to enjoy the moments of being together. Mixture of nuts, snacks and fruit such as
Grapes, honeydew melons, watermelons, pomegranates, pears, oranges, tangerines, apples, walnuts,
Almonds, peanuts,
Raisins,
...see more Pistachios and hazelnuts are served.
Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant.
The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life.
In Persian poetry Yalda signifies many things such as the separation between loved ones, loneliness and waiting.
Many believe waiting would be over after this night as the light would shine and goodness would prevail. After this night, Light prevails over Darkness as the days grow longer and give more light.
Yalda has a root in Zoroastrian belief, Mithraism religion.
The Mithraists believe that Mithra, the Persian god of light and truth, was born to a virgin mother in the morning of the longest night of the year, Yalda.
It was said that Mithra was born out of the light that came from within the Alborz Mountains, symbolizing the Sun god overcoming darkness power. Ancient Iranians known as 'Yar-e Ghar', cave mates, gathered in caves throughout the night to witness this miracle together at dawn.
Nowadays Yalda has become a social occasion when friends and family gather to eat, drink, tell stories and read poetry, especially Hafiz, until dawn.
One of the other traditions of yalda Night, which has been added in recent centuries, is the recitation of the classic poetry of Hafez, the Iranian poet of 14th century AD.
Each member of the family makes a wish and randomly opens the book and asks the eldest member of the family to read it aloud. What is expressed in that poem is believed to be the interpretation of the wish and whether and how it will come true.
This is called Faal-e Hafez.
Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and some Caucasian states such as Azerbaijan and Armenia share the same tradition as well and celebrate yalda Night annually at this time of the year.
Coinciding with the beginning of the winter, Yalda is an occasion to celebrate the end of the crop season.
It is today an event to thank the Lord for all blessings and to pray for prosperity in the next year.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yald%C4%81
http://www.iranreview.org/content/Documents/Celebrating_Yalda_2.htm
http://paginas.fe.up.pt/.
isporto/yalda.htm
http://en.alalam.ir/news/1546559
