Gather Today All Our Friends, Musicians, Jokesters, and Fortune Tellers!
It is Yalda Night.
A few years ago, I got to wondering what other holidays in the world are celebrated in December. It’s the month of the Winter Solstice and, one way or another, the celestial event has long played a central part in religious and cultural life as a potent symbol of darkness conquered by light—salvation. I scouted around and, besides Christmas and Hanukkah, discovered six, although I expect there are many more to learn about.
Two on my original list have already passed by. The first was Bodhi Day on December 8th when Buddhists honor Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment. Next came the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, an important national holiday in Mexico and among Latinx communities that venerate the visitation of the Virgin Mary to a Mexican indigenous man in the 16th century.
Today, I wish I was in Iran and joining the merriment of Shab-e-Yalda.
Yalda originated in the country’s ancient religion of Zoroastrianism and over the centuries grew into one of its most cherished festivities. It is centered around a feast shared by family and friends that must always be stuffed with music and jokes. The banquet goes on and on, way pass midnight when fortunes for the new year begin to be told.
The ritual goes like this: Practically every household in Iran cherishes a book of poems by the country’s most revered poet, Hafez. The book is passed among each guest who makes a wish for what will happen to them in the new year. Then they randomly open the book to a poem and hand it to the person who was chosen to read it aloud. Usually it’s the elder among thge guests who, with earned wisdom, interprets whether the poem will make their wish come true.
Every fortune reflects the night’s desire for joy. Every morning after Yalda night has passed brings hope that the new year will bring harmony to the world.
It would be hard for me to choose the most delicious Yalda dishes so I will point you in the direction of the Iranian travel site, Surfiranmag which has a good handful of traditional recipes for you to explore.
It’s not too late to give thr gift of America Eats!
It’s so interesting to learn about another winter holiday, Shab-e-Yalda. The tradition of passing around a beloved book of poetry, making a wish and then reading and talking about a poem is just brilliant. I’d love to think of a way to incorporate something similar into our Hanukkah celebration. Thanks so much for sharing, Pat. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday!
Such a fun celebration - thanks for bringing it to our attention. Now I’m just sitting over here quietly thinking how to incorporate something similar…