Yalda, Persian feast to be celebrated nationally, internationally
December 20, 2019 - Yalda Night (Night of Birth) is amongst the most popular ancient Persian festivals. On the eve of the first day of winter, Yalda, the Persian festival celebrated at the winter solstice, December 21 or 22, is a nocturnal celebration, which will be observed in Iran and some countries in western and central Asia.
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and some of the Caucasian states such as Azerbaijan and Armenia will celebrate the ceremony whilst they share the same traditions as well.
Yalda and its traditions are so amusing and interesting that it was officially added to Iran’s List of National Treasures in 2008.
Also known as ‘Shab-e Chelle’ (the eve of forty), the celebration is marked 40 days prior to the Zoroastrian fire festival of sadeh (meaning ‘hundred’ in Persian), according to the Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies.
In the pre-Islamic period, when Mithraism (a mystery cult in the Roman world where followers worshipped the Indo-Iranian deity Mithra as the god of friendship, contract and order) was practiced by Persians, the color red was a symbol of the sun. So, it can also be the color of the fruits that make them the integral parts of the Yalda tradition.
On this graceful night, the winter chill is vanquished and the warmth of love embraces the entire family. It’s a time for pleasant family reunions that entails laughter, merriment, and good cheer.
International recognition
The Yalda ritual was registered on the National Heritage List in 2008 and proposed for a global status on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.
According to UNESCO, the Yalda ceremonies point to cultural diversity and human creativity, especially when one considers the wide range of communities that celebrate it.
Iran’s intangible cultural heritage and its ceremonies, which are also held in neighboring countries, indicate Iran’s cultural influence, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Mounesan has said.
He expressed hope for the cooperation of neighboring countries in registering Yalda on UNESCO’s list, as this would promote friendship among countries.
Traditions in different Iranian cities
There are several traditions that people follow on this night, some of which are preserved throughout the country and some others have evolved and been localized in every part of the country.
On this night, the oldest member of the family says prayers, thanking God for the previous year’s blessings, and prays for prosperity in the coming year. Then a watermelon is cut and everyone is given a share. The cutting symbolizes the removal of sickness and pain.
Dried fruits, nuts, seeds and fresh winter fruits are served. The presence of dried and fresh fruits in mid-winter is reminiscent of an ancient agricultural concern about the crops of different seasons. Pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant.
One of the Persian traditions of Yalda is storytelling; that is, the narration of Iranian fables, myths and epics from the most important books of ancient times.
Stories are usually taken from the tales in the globally-acclaimed 10th century Persian poet Ferdowsi’s epic book ‘Shahnameh’ (Book of Kings) and the collected poems (divan) of the Persian poet Hafez.
In Hamedan, a female elder of the family recites poetry, while young girls needle a clean uncut cloth.
In Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdestan Province, dolma (stuffed grape leaf dishes common in Mediterranean cuisine and surrounding regions including the Balkans, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, India and the Middle East) and sangak bread are prepared for Yalda. Each year, as agreed between the families, the ceremony takes place in a different house. From a few months before Yalda, grape clusters are hung in basements or under the shade. They pickle some small melons native to Sarab Qamish village, and preserve them for Yalda. If there is a pregnant woman in the neighborhood, she will surely receive a share of the pickle.
In Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, the boiled syrup of Chlorogalum plants are stirred in an earthen pot for hours before a hard foam takes form. Then sugar or some other sweetening syrup is added to the foam. The mixture is then decorated with nuts when served on Yalda. They believe what one eats on Yalda night is ominous throughout the year, so they bring special fruits to the table, which are supposed to keep one healthy for the winter.
People of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari in southwestern Iran believe that milk, yoghurt, cheese, sesame seeds, pumpkins, sugar beets in curd, infused thyme, and barley bread served on Yalda will bring prosperity throughout the year.
In Mazandaran Province in northern Iran, according to an old tradition, people pick walnuts blindfolded and sleep with them after the ceremony. In the morning they break the walnuts to see if the kernel is bright and sound, or dried and dark.
It is a famous nanny story that when mythical Nan-e Sarma (Coldness Granny) sheds tears on this night, it would rain; if she spills out the cottons of her bedclothes, it would snow; and if she tears out her necklace, there would be hailstones.
On Yalda night, Iranians in Zanjan serve their own local sweets including the famous rosette and baklava (a rich, sweet dessert made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts, sweetened and held together with syrup or honey). They visit their elders to kiss their hands, thus to receive blessings throughout the year.