Azerbaijanis celebrate last Tuesday of Novruz

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Finally, the last Tuesday Ilakhir or Torpag Chershenbesi (Last or Earth Tuesday) before the long-awaited Novruz Bayram has come to Azerbaijan. This year Azerbaijanis celebrates Earth Tuesday on March 17.

Novruz celebrations begin a month before the actual holiday, which is on March 20-21. The four Tuesdays named after these elements and called Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Od Chershenbesi (Fire Tuesday), Hava Chershenbesi (Wind Tuesday) and Torpaq Chershenbesi or Akhir Chershenbesi (Earth or Last Tuesday).

It is believed that the Last Tuesday is very special, since just a few days separate people from the main Novruz holiday. Moreover, people become to feel that the beautiful spring season is ever so closer - the air gets warmer and buds are blooming.

Being a symbol of awakening and spring the last Tuesday means the beginning of field work.

The earth is like a nurse to the entire world, and all the creatures of the Almighty, including humans, can find a place there. It feeds humans, and its awakening after a frosty winter means the awakening and rebirth of all living creatures.

This day is filled with a variety of traditional activities that cover all aspects of people's life. People are usually busy with cooking and tidying, so that to meet the upcoming holiday with a clean house, and not bring the troubles of the old year into the new one.

Divination on Novruz

Divination in the Od Chershenbesi is another interesting tradition of the holiday. Although people do not take this tradition seriously, they're still keen to keep the ancient ceremony alive, a link to the country's rich history.

Novruz is full of curious and entertaining auguries.

Before dark comes girls and boys usually overhear their neighbors’ doors. It is known here as “Gulag faly”. Before approaching the door they make a wish. Hearing something positive means that their wishes will come true, if not -- they should wait a little longer to see their heart's desires fulfilled.

Divination on the ring is also a very popular tradition among young unmarried girls. Placing a glass or dish of water into the middle, girls gather around it. Then, each girl, in turn, tear off one hair from their head and put it on the ring. They knock three times on the bottom of the cup with the ring and then lift it on the surface of the glass.

By the number of times the ring will be knocking on the glass’ wall, girls determine the age they will reach when they get married.

Novruz, marks the end of the old and beginning of the new year. Azerbaijanis celebrate it with joy and fun.

Novruz is loved by both children and adults. It is a celebration not only of the vernal equinox, but also equality, communion and unity. Novruz brings people of different backgrounds together, strengthening mutual respect and peace in society.

In ancient times Novruz holiday in Azerbaijan was called "Turan". People celebrated it for seven days. That’s why in ancient times national weddings lasted up to seven days. Still today, the tradition left its mark and people put seven kinds of holiday treats on their Novruz table.