Last night was the winter solstice – the longest night of the year, an occasion celebrated in Afghanistan and other Persian-speaking countries, where it is known as “shab-e-Yalda”. Yalda night is a beautiful ancient Iranian celebration. Nuts (ajil), and dried fruit (khoshkbar) are eaten on Yalda night. This piece was contributed by Sayed, our Persian Language Partner, based in Indonesia. Blog contributor: Sayed, NaTakallam Persian tutor. *Reciting poems from Divan-e Hafez is a special tradition on this night. Each member, in turn, makes a secret wish or poses a secret question (in their heart), and opens a random page in the book, in which the elder member of the family, or best reciter/interpreter, reads the selected poem out loud. Yalda is also celebrated in parts of Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Shab-e Yalda is also celebrated each year in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Yalda night 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.. Family members get together (most often in the house of the eldest member) and stay awake all night long in Yalda night. The celebration of Shabe Yalda is also called “Shabe Chelleh” (شب چله‎), the night of the forty, because it is believed that the first forty days of winter are the coldest and toughest to bear. In Iran and other parts of Persia such as Tajikistan and Afghanistan, this important night is called Shab-e-Yalda, or Shab-e-Chelleh. Yalda night, Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Cheleh is one of the oldest Persian festivals, which, like Nowruz and Chaharshanbe Suri, is a reminder of Iran ancient history. They built fires on sundown of the last day in fall and kept them burning until the first rays of sun the following day. This bread is best when eaten hot right out of the oven and it is the most favored bread for breakfast (sobhaneh). In his free time, he enjoys poetry, photography, and hiking. Today, many friends and families from Iranian, Afghan, Tajik, Kurdish and Azeri communities come together to celebrate Shabe Yalda. A night of love, light and rebirth of the sun. In some parts of Iran the family of the groom to be sends a well decorated watermelon along with different fresh and dried fruits as well as presents and jewelry to the home of his future bride. By experience they learned that the longer days and warm rays of sun helped their crops and the gathering months brought shorter days and longer nights. According to an old belief, the sun, with its sunrise, will break the back of darkness, and with its radiance, it will remove darkness from people’s lives.Â. Shabe Yalda, or Yalda night is an evening of festivities and merriment that begins when the sun sets on the last day of fall (last day of Maah e Azar on Jalali Calendar) and continues until the dawn of the first day of winter, or first day of Maah e Dey. Shabe Yalda, or Yalda night is an evening of festivities and merriment that begins when the sun sets on the last day of fall (last day of Maah e Azar on Jalali Calendar) and continues until the dawn of the first day of winter, or first day of Maah e Dey. with any language purchase of 5 hours or more. The ancient Persians depended on agriculture for their livelihood and had to plant and gather according to the change of seasons. Today, many friends and families from Iranian, Afghan, Tajik, Kurdish and Azeri communities come together to celebrate Shabe Yalda. Besides Iran, Yalda is celebrated in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and some ceremonies similar to Yalda are also celebrated in Pakistan and Northern India at about the same time of the year. Yalda night is a beautiful ancient Iranian celebration. Sign up here, today. Updated: 8 July 2019. Considered the longest night of the year, Yalda eve is the night when ancient Iranians celebrated the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light. In this night, Iranians celebrate the longest and darkest night of the year or winter solstice. On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. This night was called Yalda which meant rebirth (of the sun), and it was celebrated for the triumph of light over darkness. Shabe Yalda is observed in other countries like Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey, too. Yalda is a Syriac word that means birth and, in the pre-Zoroastrian, polytheistic religion of Mithraism, the god of the sun was born on the longest night of the year. Shabe Yalda mobarak!! The longest night of the year was the reason for friends and families to gather around in houses, stay awake until well past midnight and spend the darkest night of the year together. It isn’t the prolonged darkness that is celebrated during Yalda. This night marks the longest and darkest night of the year, and in return celebrates the “rebirth of the sun” as the daylight would get longer – also coinciding with “Khurram ruz” (the day of the sun). شب یلدا‎ or shab-e yalda is the longest and darkest night of the year. (The months are also aligned with the star signs!). This jeweled fruit is the wonder of nature and makes you think about the intricate design that nestles precious gems that…, Kabob Koobideh (کباب کوبیده) is made with ground lamb or beef or a combination of the two. This night is from 20 to 21 December according to the Georgian calendar. The night of Hafez and Bidel (Persian poets) and lovers in the hope of a bright sunrise and longer days to come. Beautiful red ripe pomegranates are available in most supermarkets. On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. from Amir Jan Sabooriafghan hochzeit mast song tu ke moree. Noon, or nan, means bread in Farsi. Yalda- The Other Winter Holiday We’ve all heard of Christmas, Hanukah and New Year’s Eve, but there is another winter holiday that is older than all of these. In many cultures around the world, including in Afghanistan, friends and family gather together to eat red fruits such as pomegranates and watermelon, drink, light candles, and read poetry (especially Hafez). The origins of Shab e-Yalda date back centuries all the way back to the pre-Islamic times in Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan according to most sources. This is one of the most popular kabobs you can find on the streets of Iran. They discovered that after what was the longest night of the year the daylight hours started to get longer. Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh takes place in the night of winter solstice and is an old traditional festivity, practiced in Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. During this night they gathered with family and friends, ate delicious food, drank, and sang happy songs all night and listened to stories about old times. Persian Food, Desserts, Baking and Pastry Recipes with step-by-step instructions and illustrations. *Reciting poems from Divan-e Hafez is a special tradition on this night. It is fun to guess the secret wishes of others when in groups, as well, Fascinated by Persian traditions, language and poetry? During this night Persians enjoy delicious food, sweet and juicy fruits, and delectable sweets paired with hot tea. The ancient myth is that eating hendevaneh هندوانه (watermelon) on Yalda night makes the person immune to cold winter weather as well as the next summer’s heat. Fascinated by Persian traditions, language and poetry? Jan 4, 2021 - Explore Narcissa's board "Yalda night", followed by 188 people on Pinterest. The main Yalda fruits are watermelon, pomegranate, persimmons, apples and pears, though other fruits such as oranges, tangerines and kiwi are also available in Iran at this time of the year. Sign up. It is the longest night and shortest day of the year (Yalda Night). See more ideas about yalda night, persian food, persian culture. ), This is default text for notification bar, is based on astronomical observations and is considered one of the closest to a perfect calendar according to, The word “Yalda” (یلدا‎) comes from the Syriac word, meaning “birth”. They pass the longest night with legends, stories and riddles, quoting the. Shabe Yalda; a night of welcoming. Yalda means birth. Rather, it is the rebirth of the daylight. Known in Persian as Shab e-Yalda (Yalda Night) or Shab e-Chelleh (40 th Night), the night is usually on December 20 or 21 depending on the calendar. Yalda Greeting Card, Persian new year, Persian card, Nowruz cards, Shabe Yalda Card, Persian Art, Happy Yalda Night, Norooz, made in Canada $6.19 Loading In stock. Yalda night begins at sunset on the last day of autumn, December 20 or 21, and ends with the sunrise on the first day of winter. To this day Yalda remains as one of the most ancient festive ceremonies that has been celebrated in Iran for centuries since the time of the Persian Empire. In the Persian calendar*, this night refers to the time between sunset from 30th Azar (the last day of autumn and the 9th month of the Persian calendar) to sunrise on the 1st of Dey (the first day of winter, and the 10th month) – equivalent to 20th/21st of December. A celebration for Yalda Night (Longest Night of the year- Dec. 20th) - A Charity for kids held by Behzisti Shab-e Yaldā (Persian: یلدا) or Shab-e Chelleh (Persian: شب چله) is an Iranian festival originally celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere's longest night of the year, that is, on the eve of the Winter Solstice. The special foods that are prepared for this night change from family to family and also depend on the availability of ingredients in different regions of Iran. 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. He’s been working with NaTakallam since the beginning of 2020. For a full week, all social norms were reverted (the rich and the poor became equal, and masters served slaves) and gifts were exchanged. Yalda Night (Shab-e Yalda) is one of the most celebrated traditional events in Iran which marks the longest night of the year, that is, in the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice. In contemporary Iran, as well as countries like Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Shab-e Yalda is celebrated on the solstice, which is a gathering for people to "protect each other from evil," per History.com, which is connected to it being the year's longest night. Such a night shows the creation of the sun. Shabe Yalda or Yalda night is an ancient Iranian celebration. Fall is the pomegranate season, and I feel it is the perfect time to share my Fesenjan, or Fesenjoon recipe (chicken stew with walnut and pomegranate sauce). It is believed that the randomly selected poem is a response, guidance or direction to the secret wish or question. It is a time to celebrate with the family, to get together, read traditional poetry and connect to the lighting of a big fire which should resemble light and hope in this night which is supposed to be the longest and darkest. This has been an important winter festival among rural people, based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Shab-e Yalda, “Night of Birth”, or Zayeshmehr, “Birth of Mithra”, or Shab-e Chelleh is the Iranian winter solstice celebration which has been popular since ancient times. Shab-e Yalda Mubarak / Happy Winter Solstice from AAAWA! (the epic Book of Kings by Ferdowsi, and the longest poem ever written by a single author), reciting poems from Divan-e Hafez*, playing instruments, singing, having fresh fruits such as watermelon, persimmon and pomegranate, and “ajil”, آجیل, (a colorful mix of dried fruits, nuts and seeds). Also known as Shab-e Chelleh, Yalda is an Iranian celebration of the longest night of the year, the winter solstice. Sayed Mohammad Nabi was born in Afghanistan right after the Soviet withdrawal but has lived as a refugee in Iran and currently resides in Indonesia. The word “Yalda” (یلدا‎) comes from the Syriac word, meaning “birth”. Yalda means birth. Today, many friends and families from Iranian, Afghan, Tajik, Kurdish and Azeri communities come together to celebrate Shabe Yalda. Yalda is celebrated on the Northern Hemisphere’s longest night of the year, that is, … Get more insight into the culture with NaTakallam’s native instructors! In old times summer watermelons were buried under branches and leaves in a cold place to keep them fresh until the Yalda night. This Kabob is usually grilled over hot coals and is served in fancy restaurants and clubs, as well as in the little shacks…, Barbari, Noon Barbari, or Nan Barbari, is a popular traditional Persian flat bread with a crisp crust and light airy texture. . SHAB-E YALDA is the WINTER SOLSTICE and longest night of the year. Considered the longest night of the year, Yalda eve is the night when ancient Iranians celebrated the birth of Mithra, the goddess of light. It is in fact thought that the ancient Persians (of Zoroastrian faith) adopted the annual ‘renewal of the Sun’ celebrations from the Babylonians and ancient Egyptians. Friends gather in groups or relatives usually at the home of grandparents or the elderly to spend the whole night waiting for the sun to rise. You might be busy Christmas shopping this month, but Iranians are busy preparing for another holiday just a few days before- Shab-e Yalda, or Yalda Night, an ancient Zoroastrian tradition.Here’s everything you need to know about Yalda Night, including how you can join the fun and celebrate it just like an Iranian. For a full week, all social norms were reverted (the rich and the poor became equal, and masters served slaves) and gifts were exchanged. Although most widely observed in Iran, some other nearby countries also celebrate Yalda, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. I am honored to do so alongside thousands of Child Foundation children and their families in Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Thus, Shabeh Chelleh and Yalda Night are the same, the celebration of the winter solstice by ancient Iranians, which is still celebrated by Iranians and also other countries who used to share this ancient civilization and festivities with Iranians such as Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey. The variety is endless but to mention a few: Mahi Polo, Fesenjoon, Khoresh Bademjan, Aash Reshteh, and traditional desserts such as Fereni and Sholeh Zard may be prepared for this night. Thereafter, the Persian Yalda festival and rituals reportedly entered ancient Rome as the “Saturnalia” celebration – where they honored the agricultural god, Saturn. Yalda is a night full of hope for the future and happiness for the young and old. Thereafter, the Persian Yalda festival and rituals reportedly entered ancient Rome as the “Saturnalia” celebration – where they honored the agricultural god, Saturn. When does Yalda celebrate? (*Add a 1-hour Gift of Conversation to your cart & use code WOMEN21 upon check out. It is also one of the most important ancient Persian traditions which is still celebrated today, on 20-21st of December. They pass the longest night with legends, stories and riddles, quoting the Shahnameh (the epic Book of Kings by Ferdowsi, and the longest poem ever written by a single author), reciting poems from Divan-e Hafez*, playing instruments, singing, having fresh fruits such as watermelon, persimmon and pomegranate, and “ajil”, آجیل, (a colorful mix of dried fruits, nuts and seeds). Reading the enchanting poems by Hafez  حافظ, and great Persian mythology such as Shahnameh شاهنامه , Khosro va Shireen خسرو و شیرین, Leili va Majnoon لیلی و مجنون  make this otherwise cold winter night a delightful gathering with family and friends. Goddess Mithra wishes you a happy Shab-e Yalda (شب یلدا‎). As Persians say… Shabe Yalda mobarak, شب یلدا مبارک – Happy Yalda Night! An ancient Iranian festival which basically celebrates the coming of the winter solstice and the longest night of the year for centuries is Yalda Night (or Shab-e Yalda; also, Shab-e Chelleh). This year will be the first time my family marks the ancient holiday of Shab-e Yalda. It is the eve of her birth, the Sun Goddess, who symbolized light, goodness and strength on earth. Yalda Night (Shab-e Chelleh) is a Persian winter event that is commemorated on or around December 20 or 21 each year. He studied French language and literature at Kabul University and has a background in translation and interpretation. Get more insight into the culture with NaTakallam’s native instructors! Friends gather in groups or relatives usually at the home of grandparents or the elderly to spend the whole night waiting for the sun to rise. Yalda Night is also celebrated in countries such as Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and in some of the Caucasian states such as Azerbaijan and Armenia whilst they share the same traditions as well. Through March, receive a FREE* 1-hour Gift of Conversation to give to a loved one (or treat yourself!) Yalda Night, known as Shabe Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh in Persian is one of the most ancient Iranian festivals annually celebrated on December 21 (night of 30 Azar–1 Dey in the Iranian calendar) by Farsi speakers all around the world. Shab-e-Yalda and its traditions are so amusing and interesting that it was officially added to Iran’s List of National Treasures in 2008. We will share good food and poetry, warmed by gratitude but also keenly aware of those َThere is a saying in Farsi that goes something like this: I wish you a long and happy life like Shabe Yalda, sweet as watermelon and fruitful as pomegranates! It shows Persian people knew astrology in … It is believed that the randomly selected poem is a response, guidance or direction to the secret wish or question. Shabe Yalda (شب یلدا‎), or the Night of Yalda, is the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the winter solstice. By tradition Iranians gather in the homes of the elders of family on yalda night, eat, drink tea and sharbat (sweet drinks made by mixing homemade fruit syrup and water) and be merry. *Fun fact: Did you know the Persian calendar is based on astronomical observations and is considered one of the closest to a perfect calendar according to this and this source? It is fun to guess the secret wishes of others when in groups, as well! This corresponds to the night of December 20th or 21st in … It is in fact thought that the ancient Persians (of Zoroastrian faith) adopted the annual ‘renewal of the Sun’ celebrations from the. In old times the summer fruits such as watermelon, pears and apples were kept from spoiling in a special cold storage called “anbar.”  Nowadays these fruits are imported fresh from the warmer areas. About Yalda Night. The table is decorated in red, orange, and maroon to represent dawn and glow of life. The ancient Persians depended on agriculture for their livelihood and had to plant and gather according to the change of seasons. Each member, in turn, makes a secret wish or poses a secret question (in their heart), and opens a random page in the book, in which the elder member of the family, or best reciter/interpreter, reads the selected poem out loud. Friends gather in groups or relatives usually at the home of grandparents or the elderly to spend the whole night waiting for the sun to rise. Some of the special delicacies enjoyed with….