The Yezidis, the largest national minority in Armenia, celebrate the New Year on the first Wednesday after April 13 rather than on December 31, Khydyr Khajoyan, Editor-in-Chief of the “Ezdikhana” newspaper, told NEWS.am.
“Out of respect for others Yezids celebrate December 31. But we have our own New Year, ‘charshshama sare sale’,” Khajoyan said. “We say ‘the beginning of the year’, not the New Year. Yezidis go to the cemetery and then continue merrymaking. We think we must not forget our deceased. They are with us, celebrating the New Year,” he said.
The Yezidi community associates the New Year with the birthday of Tawûsê Melek (Melek Taus), the Peacock Angel, believed to be God’s messenger. Yezidis celebrate the New Year and the Christmas the same day. They color eggs red, white, yellow and green. “The red and white are symbols of our flag, the yellow is the sun and the green is the peacock,” Khajoyan said.
Yezidis consider it a sin to have cabbage and pork on their New Year tables. “Our fables say that the head of the Yezidi tribe was fleeing his enemies, but he was found and killed because of a swine. However, there is a scientific explanation. Many Yezidis died because of a swine disease,” Khajoyan said. The law and religion of Yezidis also prohibits the use of hemp.
During Melek Taus celebrations Yezidis make presents to one another.
