by the The Saccharinist
Winter Solstice Iranian Style!
December 21st is the Winter Solstice -- the longest night of the year -- and it has been celebrated by Iranians for millennia. The festivity is essentially rooted in an appreciation of nature and despite various religious movements in Iran, including the present Islamic one, this culture has not been effaced.
Shab-e Yalda (the Syrian Christian term) or Shab-e Cheleh as it is called in Persian is a time to be around family and loved ones to partake of the anar (pomegranate), gerdoo (walnuts), badoom (almonds), hendooneh (watermelon) and other fruits of the season, to listen to music, to smoke ghelyoon (waterpipe) and sit around a fire and enjoy the very long night in togetherness. Basically, it's a good ol' time!
Shab-e Cheleh Pirooz! Shab-e Yalda Mobarak!
-- The Saccharinist
December 21st is the Winter Solstice -- the longest night of the year -- and it has been celebrated by Iranians for millennia. The festivity is essentially rooted in an appreciation of nature and despite various religious movements in Iran, including the present Islamic one, this culture has not been effaced.
Shab-e Yalda (the Syrian Christian term) or Shab-e Cheleh as it is called in Persian is a time to be around family and loved ones to partake of the anar (pomegranate), gerdoo (walnuts), badoom (almonds), hendooneh (watermelon) and other fruits of the season, to listen to music, to smoke ghelyoon (waterpipe) and sit around a fire and enjoy the very long night in togetherness. Basically, it's a good ol' time!
Shab-e Cheleh Pirooz! Shab-e Yalda Mobarak!
-- The Saccharinist