Fasts and holidays
The history of the Yezidi holidays goes back to ancient times. Each of the Yezidi holidays is dedicated to the recollection of important events in the life of a Yezidi believer, and there is also a day of memory dedicated to those departed.
Almost all Yezidi’s holidays begin with fasting and end up with a celebration. In accordance to this, the entire festivities are arranged during the holidays: the holiday is preceded by a three-day fast. Fasting begins on Tuesday morning - before sunrise and lasts until sunset. On the fourth day, which falls on Friday, begins the celebration (Aid). People set up large tables, go visit and congratulate each other.
The Yezidi’sholidays do not have a permanent timing; each holiday is moved annually depending not on the date, but on the day of the week. The holiday should coincide with a certain location of the Sun or Moon. In essence, the Yezidi calendar is at variance with the Gregorian calendar.
Çarsema Sor (Red Wednesday) is the most important holiday for the Yezidis dedicated to the creation of the world. According to the Yezidi calendar, the world was created 6766 years ago. According to mythology, God created the world with the help of seven angels: "In the beginning God created seven angels, and then with their help started to create the world. God with the help of angels began the creation of the world on Saturday and completed on Wednesday. After the creation of the world, God placed Malik Taus at the head of the angels and commanded him to be the patron of the Yezidis. “From this day the Yezidis count the chronology. The Yezidi New Year begins on Wednesday. The date of his celebration falls on the third Wednesday of the month of April.”
In order to prepare for this holiday, families bake cake (named Kiloç), paint eggs in all colors of the rainbow and decorate their homes with fresh flowers.
Aida Ezid (EydaÊzîd) is a great holiday for Yezidi people, dedicated to God the Creator. The holiday falls on the third Friday of December.
Cemaya alişê (JamaiLalish) - October 6 (according to the Gregorian calendar) marks the beginningof the week forYezidi pilgrimage to the shrine of Lalish. Every Yezidi considers its duty to travel to holy places and be sanctified by holy water - Kanya Spî.
Aida Khidir Nabi Khidr Ilias (Eyda Xidir nebî Xidir îliyas) is a festival of love and fulfillment of desires. Khidir Nabi is considered the patron of lovers, reunites loving hearts and fulfills their cherished desires. Through him and with his assistance, the divine command and people’s destiny are revealed. According to the legend, if on that day the youth turn to Khidir Nabi with a prayer and eat a salted flat cake for the night, they can see their betrothed in a dream. Hidir Ilias is considered to be a protector of patients, travelers and innocent prisoners. The holiday is celebrated on the first Friday of February.
In addition to the holidays described above, there are many other holidays: Chile Havine - the holiday is celebrated in July after the end of the summer, after forty-day fast. Cile Zvezda -this holiday is celebrated in January, after the end of the winter forty days. Batezmi in honor of Pir Ali from the Yezidis of Turkey.Jamaya Sharfadin from the Yezidis of Shangala.
There is a day in the year dedicated to the memory of the dead. Aida Belende is celebrated by the Yezidis of Iraq in December-January. The Yezidis of Armenia, Georgia and Russia do not celebrate this holiday. Unlike the other Yezidis, they celebrate this day in the summer, which falls on the second Thursday of June. On this day the Yezidis visit the graves of relatives and make donations in the form of food, drinks, money and other things. It is believed that these donations are thus passed on to their deceased.
