Spring holidays of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia)

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Marking a period of natural renewal, fertility, and abundance, the coming of spring has been celebrated by human civilizations around the world through history. In Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia), the cradle of civilization, some of the oldest spring traditions are still practiced.

The Syriacs, Kurds and Yezidis celebrate the arrival of spring in their own way, but they are united by Joy, going out into nature and holding folkloric dances, to reflect spring holidays, each with its own touch.

Akitu

As spring approaches, the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people are preparing to welcome the Babylonian Syriac-Assyrian New Year, Akitu 6774, (ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܬܐ ܐܟܝܬܘ 6774), in their historical land of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).

Celebrated on 1 April, Akitu is the oldest known holiday still observed. According to researchers, the celebration dates back to the 6 millennium B.C.

The festivities of Akitu traditionally extend over 12 days, revolving around rituals emblematic of creation and the legendary tale of Enuma Elish. This narrative unfolds with the resurrection of Mardukh, the patron god of Babylon, by his son, Nabu, symbolizing the renewal of life within nature.

Akitu finds its roots in the sacred union of Ishtar, the goddess of beauty, and Tammuz, the god of fertility, with Ishtar’s descent into the underworld to revive the dead. Her subsequent imprisonment and punishment at the hands of the underworld goddess, coupled with Tammuz’s indifference, shape the mythos.

Following divine intervention, Ishtar’s return to life prompts her plea to the council of gods for Tammuz’s punishment, resulting in his semi-immortality, resurrected for only half of each year, beginning on the 1 April.

As recounted in Sumerian lore, Tammuz came to life on 1 April, and then returned to the underworld by the end of September.

Beyond its religious significance, Akitu carried profound political and social implications within Babylonian Syriac-Assyrian society. Rituals reaffirm the monarchy’s authority and the high priest’s subservience to the deity through offerings, while also legitimizing Mesopotamian kingship over two days of ceremony, integral to societal cohesion and governance.

These rituals serve as tangible expressions of political power, reinforcing the monarch’s authority, the national deity’s reverence, and the primacy of the Babylonian capital.

Celebrated typically between March and April, Akitu symbolizes humanity’s symbiotic relationship with nature and the perpetual cycle of life, affirming the capacity for renewal and rebirth.

Modern Akitu observances echo ancient traditions, with participants engaging in dance, merriment, and donning traditional, intricately adorned costumes, reminiscent of folklore and adorned with feathers, embodying the spirit of rebirth after the winter’s dormancy.

The legacy of Akitu extends beyond its immediate cultural environment, influencing other analogous spring festivals, including Nowruz, Red Wednesday (Çarşemiya Sor), and various Jewish and Ugaritic holidays.

Nowruz

Nowruz, celebrated as the Kurdish New Year (Nowrūz, sala nû), marks the transition from winter to spring, symbolizing renewal and hope. The term “Nowruz” itself, comprised of two syllables, carries the profound meaning of “New Day” in Kurdish.

As the cherished national holiday of the Kurdish people, Nowruz is steeped in legend, tracing to around 600 B.C. to a tale of valor and liberation. Central to this narrative is Kāveh, the blacksmith-turned-hero, who bravely confronted the tyranny of Zahāk, a merciless foreign despot.

According to Kurdish lore, Zahāk harbored a malevolent serpent that preyed upon the minds of children. Having lost 15 of his own offspring to this horror, Kāveh, left with only a daughter, resolved to confront Zahāk. Armed with his hammer, Kāveh stormed the palace and killed him.

In a symbolic gesture of triumph, Kāveh ignited flames atop the palace, clutching a torch aloft to signal victory and freedom to the people. Thus, 21 March was consecrated as a day of rebirth, commemorating the defeat of oppression and marking the inception of the Kurdish New Year.

Red Wednesday (Çarşema Sor)

In the spring, on the first Wednesday of April, the Yezidi community celebrates Red Wednesday (Çarşema Sor).

Çarşema Sor is a sacred occasion commemorating creation, rebirth, and the genesis of the universe itself.

According to Yezidi mythology, at the dawn of time, the cosmos was shrouded in mist and darkness. It was then that God entrusted the Peacock Angel, Tawûsî Melek, with the task of bestowing life upon the barren earth. Descending upon a bough of the revered “Herher” tree nestled in the Lalish valley — the holiest site in Yezidism — the Tawûsî Melek’s radiant presence caused the icy veil covering the land to thaw. Thus, from Lalish, a new era blossomed, heralding the advent of spring.

On the Tuesday morning before Çarşema Sor, families pay homage to their departed kin by visiting gravesites, bearing offerings of fruits and sweets to share with children and the poor.

Young men and women color a dozen boiled eggs, each color symbolizing a distinct season of the year. These vibrant eggs serve as poignant emblems of nature’s perennial renewal.

As dusk descends on Tuesday, a fuse comprised of 366 wicks is ignited at Lalish, each wick signifying a day of the year.

Gathered together, the community shares a communal meal at cemeteries. It is believed amongst the Yezidis that on every Çarşema Sor, Tawûsî Melek descends to reclaim the earth from malevolent forces, fostering an era of harmony and renewal.

Once the revelries conclude, the remnants of the colored eggshells are delicately scattered upon the fertile soil, invoking blessings and prosperity upon the land. These shells serve as poignant reminders of the icy barrier that once enshrouded the earth prior to Tawûsî Melek’s divine intervention.

With the break of dawn on the following day, people wake early to pray in the direction of the rising sun. Dressed in their most beautiful clothes, they decorate the entrance to their homes with flowers, symbolizing the dawn of a new season and a fresh chapter in their lives.