New Year is the holiday that everyone is waiting for without exception, regardless of what country they are in. That's just celebrate it everywhere in different ways, because every nation has its own distinctive features and traditions.
Features
Today the New Year is celebrated in Armenia on January 1, as in many countries of the world. However, more recently, in this country there were several New Year holidays.
The first one is called Amanor and the Armenians meet him in the spring, more precisely, 21 March. This day is considered the day of awakening nature. On this holiday, they turned to their gods and asked to give them a good harvest.
The second Armenian New Year is called Navasard and is celebrated in the summer, August 11th. Its appearance is associated with an ancient legend. According to her, on that day, Ike Akhehnavor killed the then tyrant Bel, thereby ensuring freedom not only to his family, but to all descendants. It happened in August 2492 before our era.
As for the modern New Year, it appeared in Armenia only in the XVIII century.
What date and how is it celebrated?
In antiquity, the New Year holidays, which were in spring, were celebrated on Mount Npat. Such celebrations were attended not only by ordinary people, but also by the tsar and the queen, as well as their entire retinue. People from all parts of Armenia gathered here. New Year's celebration lasted several days in a row. It is worth noting that it was impossible to see people drunk here, since everyone drank only sweet drinks and light wines.
Today the New Year is officially celebrated from the evening of December 31 to January 1. In addition, it is worth noting that January 1 and 2 is a legal weekend when it is customary to go on a visit, as well as receive guests.
These days, many families relax together, travel a lot, relax in the Tsakhkadzor ski resort, which is considered one of the best in this country. During the celebration, hiking, snowboarding and skiing are popular.
What dishes are on the table?
On New Year's Eve, Armenians prepare many different dishes. The festive menu depends on the territory in which people live. However, there are also dishes that should be on the table for absolutely all Armenians.
On the festive table there is always a place for bread baked from round wheat, which was previously grown only in Armenia. Mistresses decorated it with a variety of animal figures or small copies of temples. According to Armenian tradition, sweet ghat cake was served with nuts, dried fruits and other sweets. It was supposed to put a large bead or coin inside. Some families had it is customary to cut the pie into 12 pieces. That person who came across a piece with a bead or coin, must have been lucky for a year.
In addition, ripe pomegranates, as well as almonds, must be present on the table. Indeed, in translation from Armenian “nur” means pomegranate, and “nush” - almonds. The main dish on the New Year's table is baked pork ham or a whole turkey. If the family budget is not too big, then you can bake a rabbit or chicken. In addition, almost every housewife prepares a regular dolma in grape leaves or pasuc dolma, that is, lean dolma. It is worth noting that in calories, the second is not inferior to a meat dish. For breakfast, January 1, it is customary to cook hash.
Traditions and rites
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 - garlands and New Year's toys hang everywhere.
However, all this has appeared recently, and in ancient times the symbol of the New Year was the "tree of life". He was knitted from straw. When it was ready, it was decorated with the first toys. It could be old dolls, and sprigs of cinnamon, and even fruit. It was not Santa Claus who brought gifts to the kids, but 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 with the onset of the first minute of the New Year in the stove. After this, 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 light a fire. All family members were to gather around him. Fire as it burns, should burn all the negative that was present last year.
There is another tradition that is associated with the most unusual name of the New Year holiday Amanor.
According to one of the old legends, the god of nature on this day declared his love and future wife to love. 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 fresh and aromatic fruits to your family and friends.
To summarize, it is worth saying that The New Year is celebrated in Armenia very interestingly, despite the fact that many old traditions were forgotten over time.
See how the New Year is celebrated in Yerevan in the video.
