Assyrian New Year

Hey kiddo! Do you know what a new year is? It's a special time when we celebrate the beginning of a new calendar year. In many cultures, people have their own new year celebrations with their own traditions and beliefs.

One of these cultures is the Assyrian culture. The Assyrians are a group of people who come from an ancient civilization that existed a long time ago in what is now Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Their new year celebration is called Akitu, which means "beginning" in the Assyrian language.

The Assyrian New Year is celebrated on April 1st, which is usually the first day of Spring. It's a time when Assyrians come together to celebrate and thank their gods for the new beginning. They hold big parades, dance, sing and decorate their homes with colorful flowers and paintings. They wear traditional clothes and cook delicious food for their families and friends.

During the Assyrian New Year, people also do a special ritual called "Shamasha." They light seven candles, each representing the seven gods of Assyrian mythology. They pray for good health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.

Another important tradition of Assyrian New Year is the "kha b' Nissan," which means "the month of April." During this month, Assyrians visit their relatives and friends to exchange gifts, eat together, and wish each other a happy new year.

Overall, the Assyrian New Year is a time of joy, happiness, and new beginnings for the Assyrian people. It's a way for them to connect with their ancient culture and beliefs and share it with the world.