All about the Armenian New Year
New Year is the holiday that everyone, without exception, is waiting for, regardless of which country they are in. They just celebrate it differently everywhere, because every nation has its own distinctive features and traditions.
Peculiarities
Today the New Year in Armenia is celebrated on January 1, as in many countries of the world. However, more recently, there were several New Year holidays in this country.
The first one is called Amanor, and the Armenians meet him in the spring, or rather, 21 March... This day is considered the day of the awakening of nature. On this holiday, they turned to their gods and asked for a good harvest.
The second Armenian New Year is called Navasard and is celebrated in the summer, on August 11. Its appearance is associated with an ancient legend. According to her, on this day, Hayk Akhehnavor killed the then tyrant Bel, thereby ensuring freedom not only for his family, but also for all descendants. It happened in August 2492 before our era.
As for the modern New Year, it appeared in Armenia only in the 18th century.
What date and how is it celebrated?
In ancient times, New Year's holidays, which fell on the spring, were celebrated on Mount Npat. In such celebrations, not only ordinary people took part, but also the king and queen, as well as their entire retinue. People came here from all parts of Armenia. The New Year celebrations lasted several days in a row. It should be noted that it was impossible to see people drunk here, since everyone drank only sweet drinks and light wines.
Today New Year is officially celebrated from the evening of December 31 to January 1. In addition, it should be noted that January 1 and 2 are legal days off, when it is customary to visit and receive guests.
These days, many families rest together, travel a lot, rest at the Tsaghkadzor ski resort, which is considered one of the best in this country. Popular activities during the celebration include hiking, snowboarding and skiing.
What are the dishes on the table?
For the New Year, Armenians prepare many different dishes. The festive menu depends on the territory in which people live. However, there are also such dishes that absolutely all Armenians should have on the table.
On the festive table there is always a place for bread baked from round wheat, which was previously grown only in Armenia. The hostesses decorated it with a variety of animal figurines or small copies of temples. According to the Armenian tradition, a sweet gata pie with nuts, dried fruits and other sweets was served. It was supposed to put a large bead or coin inside. Some families had it is customary to cut the cake into 12 pieces... Anyone who came across a piece with a bead or a coin had to carry it for a whole year.
In addition, ripe pomegranates and almonds must be present on the table. Indeed, in translation from Armenian, "nur" means pomegranate, and "nush" means almond. The main dish on the New Year's table is considered to be a baked pork leg or a whole turkey. If the family budget is not too large, then you can bake a rabbit or chicken. In addition, almost every housewife prepares ordinary dolma in grape leaves or pasuts dolma, that is, lean dolma. It is worth noting that in terms of calorie content, the second is not inferior to a meat dish. It is customary to cook for breakfast on January 1 hash.
Traditions and rituals
Modern New Year is celebrated in the same way as in many other countries.... That is, they decorate both the Christmas tree and the house - everywhere they hang garlands, New Year's toys.
However, all this appeared quite recently, and in ancient times the symbol of the New Year was the “tree of life”. It was knitted from straw. When it was ready, it was decorated with the first toys. It could have been old dolls, cinnamon sprigs, and even fruits. Children were brought gifts not by Santa Claus, but by Kahand Pap.
Many New Year traditions in Armenia are associated with the deification of fire and water. In some regions, it is customary to throw the first log into the stove with the onset of the first minute of the New Year. After that, the burnt part must be buried in the field in order to get a good harvest in the future.
Besides, on the eve of this holiday, according to tradition, it was necessary to make a fire. All family members were to gather around him. The fire, as it grows, should burn out all the negative that was present in the past year.
There is another tradition associated with the most unusual name for the Amanor New Year holiday.
According to one of the old legends, the god of nature on this day confessed his love to his beloved and future wife. This beloved holiday was named in her honor. As a gift, he gave his bride an apple. Over time, it has become a tradition to present your family and friends with fresh and aromatic fruits.
To summarize, it is worth saying that New Year is celebrated in Armenia in a very interesting way, despite the fact that many old traditions have been forgotten over time.
Watch the video about how the New Year is celebrated in Yerevan.
