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Ethnographer: In Armenia, they have completely forgotten the
traditions of New Year turning it into a holiday of gluttony
arminfo
Friday, January 4, 11:42
Armenians have completely forgotten many good traditions of New
Year, ethnographer Asya Apoyan told ArmInfo.
`In ancient time New Year symbolized awakening of the nature,
therefore New Year was celebrated on March 21. Kurds and Persians
still observe this tradition. New Year was called differently
throughout its history: Kaghand, Taremut, Tareglukh, Navasard
(celebrated in October 11). Armenians began celebrating New Year on
January 1 since late 19th century, in some areas - since early 20th
century,' she said.
The ethnographer recalled that New Year has been a family holiday for
centuries. `Our predecessors used to keep the home-fire burning on
that day as it symbolized the spirit of the dead ancestors. They were
superstitious and used to tell fortune on the New Year night. They
believed in `the symbol of the first guest' and hoped that it would be
a positive and easygoing person and the New Year would be positive and
easy as well. Those days Armenians tried not to use bad language,'
she said.
The ethnographer said that the New Year festive table of our ancestors
was completely different from nowadays. `Everyone now tries to have
luxurious festive tables with meat dishes and gourmet items. New Year
has become a holiday of gluttony. In the meantime, our ancestors were
eating the dishes that were symbolizing something. The criterion of
successful year was not the luxurious table but the symbols announcing
a successful year,' she said.
In addition, the ethnographer said that in ancient time Armenians were
eating Lenten dishes on New Year holidays, because it coincided with
Christmas and starting from Dec 30 up to Jan 5 people must observe
Lent. Unlike today's pork, honey was an important attribute on the New
Year tables in ancient time as honey symbolizes `honey days' in the
coming year, she concluded.
From: Baghdasarian
traditions of New Year turning it into a holiday of gluttony
arminfo
Friday, January 4, 11:42
Armenians have completely forgotten many good traditions of New
Year, ethnographer Asya Apoyan told ArmInfo.
`In ancient time New Year symbolized awakening of the nature,
therefore New Year was celebrated on March 21. Kurds and Persians
still observe this tradition. New Year was called differently
throughout its history: Kaghand, Taremut, Tareglukh, Navasard
(celebrated in October 11). Armenians began celebrating New Year on
January 1 since late 19th century, in some areas - since early 20th
century,' she said.
The ethnographer recalled that New Year has been a family holiday for
centuries. `Our predecessors used to keep the home-fire burning on
that day as it symbolized the spirit of the dead ancestors. They were
superstitious and used to tell fortune on the New Year night. They
believed in `the symbol of the first guest' and hoped that it would be
a positive and easygoing person and the New Year would be positive and
easy as well. Those days Armenians tried not to use bad language,'
she said.
The ethnographer said that the New Year festive table of our ancestors
was completely different from nowadays. `Everyone now tries to have
luxurious festive tables with meat dishes and gourmet items. New Year
has become a holiday of gluttony. In the meantime, our ancestors were
eating the dishes that were symbolizing something. The criterion of
successful year was not the luxurious table but the symbols announcing
a successful year,' she said.
In addition, the ethnographer said that in ancient time Armenians were
eating Lenten dishes on New Year holidays, because it coincided with
Christmas and starting from Dec 30 up to Jan 5 people must observe
Lent. Unlike today's pork, honey was an important attribute on the New
Year tables in ancient time as honey symbolizes `honey days' in the
coming year, she concluded.
From: Baghdasarian