DerUbermensch
Nietzsche reader
By @BLUR and @DerUbermensch:
During the longest time of the year and winter solstice, the Persian people to this day celebrate the night of Yalda. Also known as the Night of Forty, the holiday night acts as an opening of the initial forty-day period of winter season. In the ancient times, the longest and darkest night of the year was considered to be of a bad omen. The practices seen in the modern incarnation of Yalda night were originally customs intended to protect people from the forces of evil. Staying up late was a custom as not to let evil befall the sleeping innocents. As a result, people gathered with safety in numbers, shared the last remaining fruits from the summer, and found ways to pass the long night together in good company.
Persian culture has long emphasized familial bonds, and Yalda is no exception. Nowadays, the night of Yalda is seen as an opportunity for friends and family to gather around one another, all to share joy and good times. Many Persian people will decide on a host in their friend groups, and the party begins. Loud music, great food, and togetherness all are ingredients to a Yalda celebration in recent times.
As with most holidays, Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night from Farsi) has its own traditions that are followed. For example, pomegranate and watermelon should be present in a proper Yalda celebration. Dried fruits are acommon sight as well. Sweets are also used in celebration. Although religious importance has been shed off, the old traditions of staying up late in close company and having various forms of merriment (such as poetry, singing, dancing, music, etc.) have been retained in Iranian culture in modern times.
The modern incarnation of the holiday has not deviated from the original form as it still has a semblance to the pre-Islamic traditions. Still, the Iranian cultural sphere reveres the holiday and Iran even added the holiday to their List of National Treasures in 2008.
So here's to looking forward to winter celebration with the Persians of RPN! Unite!
During the longest time of the year and winter solstice, the Persian people to this day celebrate the night of Yalda. Also known as the Night of Forty, the holiday night acts as an opening of the initial forty-day period of winter season. In the ancient times, the longest and darkest night of the year was considered to be of a bad omen. The practices seen in the modern incarnation of Yalda night were originally customs intended to protect people from the forces of evil. Staying up late was a custom as not to let evil befall the sleeping innocents. As a result, people gathered with safety in numbers, shared the last remaining fruits from the summer, and found ways to pass the long night together in good company.
Persian culture has long emphasized familial bonds, and Yalda is no exception. Nowadays, the night of Yalda is seen as an opportunity for friends and family to gather around one another, all to share joy and good times. Many Persian people will decide on a host in their friend groups, and the party begins. Loud music, great food, and togetherness all are ingredients to a Yalda celebration in recent times.
As with most holidays, Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night from Farsi) has its own traditions that are followed. For example, pomegranate and watermelon should be present in a proper Yalda celebration. Dried fruits are acommon sight as well. Sweets are also used in celebration. Although religious importance has been shed off, the old traditions of staying up late in close company and having various forms of merriment (such as poetry, singing, dancing, music, etc.) have been retained in Iranian culture in modern times.
The modern incarnation of the holiday has not deviated from the original form as it still has a semblance to the pre-Islamic traditions. Still, the Iranian cultural sphere reveres the holiday and Iran even added the holiday to their List of National Treasures in 2008.
So here's to looking forward to winter celebration with the Persians of RPN! Unite!
