The Yalda Ceremony

Shaba-e Yaldā (Persian: یلد) or e-Shaba Cheleh is an Iranian festival originally celebrated on the year's longest night. This occurs around December 21, at the winter solstice, when the sun turns and goes towards higher heights again.

Yalda has a 4000-year history, and it is the sun god Mithras's birth is celebrated. With the Islamic conquest was, however, the religious meaning from the ancient Iranian festival lost. Today, Yalda (Shaba-e-Cheleh) more a social event where families and friends meet, often in the elder family member's house, for pleasure and joy.

You eat good food and various kinds of dried fruits, nuts, frökärnor, watermelon and pomegranates. To mix dried and fresh fruits reminiscent of ancient festivals, where celebrations and prayers to the gods used to ensure protection for this year's winter crop.

Yaldaceremonin

In the Iranian calendar reform in 1925 was no fixed calendar days of festivities, including Yalda is now celebrated on the night of the first day of the tenth month, which means that the festival usually falls one day before or after the winter solstice.

Fires burn throughout the night to secure the defeat of Ahriman forces. The partying and being asked, and engaged in charity, in order to ensure protection against the sun's darkness. We pray to Mithra (Mehr) and keeps his feast.

Historical background

Feast has a 4000-year view, it has been one of the most important festivals in Iran (Persia) and is celebrated to this day. It was assumed that Ahura Mazda would meet the desire of the people, especially those without children would be blessed with the prosperity that all but part of the rites during the ceremony.

Historians believe that Yalda spread to Europe through contact during the Roman and Persian Golden Age and was eventually replaced by Christian Christmas celebrations on December 25th.

Traditional influences

Iranian traditions were united in ancient Rome, a festival for the god of agriculture Saturn. The Romans exchanged gifts, partied and decorated their homes with greenery and foliage. Following the Iranian traditions were secured this year's scheme.

Dissatisfaction and quarrels were forgotten, war was suspended or was deferred. Businesses, courts and schools were closed.


Source: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shab-e_Yalda


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