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HOLIDAYS OF AZERBAIJAN. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY FAVOURITE THREE HOLIDAYS. ALL OF THEM ARE OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS OF MY MOTHERLAND - AZERBAIJAN. NOVRUZ.
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HOLIDAYS OF AZERBAIJAN
I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY FAVOURITE THREE HOLIDAYS. ALL OF THEM ARE OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS OF MY MOTHERLAND - AZERBAIJAN
Novruz is the happiest and the most ancient holiday in Azerbaijan, which means “A New day”. It is interpreted as “the beginning of a new harvest, bread”. There are several versions, legends and arguments about the origin of this holiday. But, all of them are accepted that it’s the most ancient holiday on the Earth, coming with the vernal equinox
All they are connected with salvation. The salvation from winter, death and revival. It’s believed from historical records that Novruz has been celebrated in Azerbaijan since the third millenium BC, the time of ancient Babylon. The historical roots of Novruz Holiday go back to the very ancient times of prophet Zardusht, (Fire Worship) – its age is within 3700 – 5000 years. This holiday has been celebrated in ancient Babylon on the 21st of Nisan month (March and April) and lasted 12 days. Every of these 12 days had its own ceremonials (rites) and entertaining events. The first tangible heritage monument says that Novruz holiday has appeared in 505 before Christ.
Azerbaijan – the Land of Fires – has right traditions related to Fire Worshipping and in this cultural context, Novruz represents by itself the Symbol of Redemption. “The Akhyr Chershenbe”, which means the Last Tuesday before Novruz arrival, is celebrated by making a bonfire and everyone regardless of his/her age and sex should jump over the blessed fire at least seven times. Seven times jumping over the same bonfire or one time over seven bonfires. As this rite is being honored, one should said: “My yellowness is for you, your redness is for me”. The fire is never extinguished by water. It goes out by itself and then, boys and girls collect its ashes and throw it far away from native home. All this procedure means that the Redemption is done with ashes thrown away. The Redemption using water is linked to the belief that it is a kind of purification force. During Novruz, if you jumped over the brook, it means that you have got the Redemption from all your past year’s sins. There is also another rite: to throw water to each other in the last night of the outgoing year. There is a saying that the night to next Tuesday before Novruz is marked by the stopped brooks and rivers. Everything tends to worship waters and even trees are bending downwards. If anyone will drink such water in New Year’s evening, will preserve himself from illness.
The culmination point of Novruz is marked when the old year hands over its competencies to a New Year. In accordance with ancient traditions, people used cannons and guns to shoot in honor of Novruz. Even in XIX century, N.Dubrovin wrote about this ceremony: “Cannons shots in cities and villages have announced about the arrival of Spring in Azerbaijan”. Adam Oleariy who participated in festivities organized in Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Novruz holiday, wrote: Determining the Sun height by the astronomic devices and Sun-dial, the astrologer has announced the following during the equinox: “The New Year has come”. This announcement has been immediately accompanied by cannons shots. Music tones started to be played from city towers and ramparts. The Spring holiday has begun this way” (1637).
During Novruz, the table should have seven dishes starting by the letter “S”. It should also reflect sumakh (dried barberry), vinegar, milk, semeni (sweet soup made from wheat malt with flour), sebzi (greens) etc. Mirror and candles are also put on the table. Colored eggs are placed in front of mirror. All of this is full of many symbols: the candle means fire and light which protects anyone from the evil eye. Mirror means clarification. Traditions say that every member of the family should be at home during the first day of the holiday. People believe: “If you will not be at home during the first day of Novruz, so you will miss it seven next years”. In ancient times, external door was never closed as a rule. Light is always switched on during the first day of Novruz because the extinguished fire predicts misfortune.
Celebrating Novruz, villagers define how useful will be the newly come year. Will the new year dry or rainy? What will be the crop? In accordance with traditions, the first day of Novruz is deemed as Spring, the second is Summer, the third is Autumn and the fourth one is Winter. If the first day will appear as tranquil and clear, it means the whole year will yield good crop. Novruz is the joyful and loved holiday. Novruz is the holiday which reflects the traditional values of Azerbaijani people.
The holy month of Ramadan is defined as an important month for Moslems in second year of Hijra (year of 622). The month of Ramadan teaches everyone to love with all heart the deeds of Allah passing through testing of body and strengthening of moral spirit. Moslems are fasting during that month – the procedure is called orujlug.During Orujlug, it is not allowed to eat in daytime, smoke and fulfill marital obligations etc. Only children, pregnant women, anyone who is seriously ill, warriors and travelers are free from fasting. Orujlug comes with the rise of a new Moon and lasts 29 – 30 days. Orujlug finishes with the holiday called Eid ul-Fitr. During this day, all rich and known Moslems must help the poor Moslems. Starting from 1993, the Orujlug holiday is celebrated at State level.
I really like to have my meal (iftar) together with my family and friends not depending on their age, nationality and religion.To share your meal during iftar with others let us feel how close people to each other we are and help us understand that in fact there is no difference between us.
If you ask what I like during this month of Ramadan I’ll tell that it’s charity.The best what people can do is to help others, especially children and old people.So, I’d love to do my best together with my friends and family during such events.
The religious holiday of making sacrifice – the Gurban Holiday is celebrated every year at Azerbaycan as well as by all Muslim world. Actually rites of making sacrifice have existed long before Islam.New patterns of making sacrifices in Islamic world have emerged and formed as extending assistance the poor and orphans, making good deeds to make desires come true. The religious ceremonial of making sacrifice takes its roots from the event that happened to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). During Gurban holiday, every rich people haveto sacrifice an animal, share and distribute its meat to the poor and the orphans. The act of making sacrifice had to elevate anyone spiritually till the highest level of faith.
We should better remember that there are lots of people who needs our help, tender and love all around the world. Sometimes they are very close. And the best what we can do on Qurban holiday is just to try to make them a little bit more happy.
In Azerbaijan it’s already tradition to have actions during holidays and help children who needs blood constantly.Thousands of citizens become a donors these days, which is the best present they can ever make.
LIVE LONG MY DEAR MOTHERLAND!