Assyrian New Year(Rish Nissanu)

Assyrian new year was marked by 12 days of celebration traditionally in the ancient times in which many rituals were performed beginning with reciting the sad prayers by priests and people on the first day which culminated on the 12day where the gods returned to marduk's temple and life would return to normalcy and Babylon according to the Assyrians. With the drastic changes in technology, traditions and modern life has also seen a tremendous change.

Assyrian new year is also referred to as Akitu and is celebrated on April 1 of every year according to the Gregorian calendar. New year in Assyria is considered as one of the most religious and nation celebrations where people celebrate the revival and renewal of spring. The word 'Akitu' itself related to the term 'barley' which ensures that the festival is also about celebrating the season of harvesting barley.

Modern day celebrations have tremendously changed and the celebrations today usually involve parades, new year eve parties, public speeches and rallies. On this day, people clean their houses; decorate them with lights and beautiful decorative items. They shop for new year dresses, new year gifts and items for decorating their houses. Dancing circles, picnics and parades are the intrinsic celebration ideas and traditions of Assyrian people which are very lively and entertaining.

People wear traditional costumes and dance in the parks for hours, cheering up the festive season and the harvesting season. a large number of Assyrian population reside in Syria. Although, the Syrian government does not acknowledge the festival but Assyrian people residing in Syria celebrate new year with great pomp and splendor. Apart from practicing there traditions of dancing in the traditional costumes, they also decorate and clean their houses energetically.

Assyrian New Years Eve

Assyrian new years eve is marked by the celebration hat begins in the month of April. Assyrian new year is celebrated on April 1 according to the Gregorian calendar. This day holds many social events like colorful parades and parties. People in Assyrian also gather in pubs, nightclubs and social institutions to welcome new year gracefully. Additionally, many social institutions also have the preparation done for prayers and story of creation recited by the poets. This is n internal part of Assyrian traditions which is followed every year on new year to pay respect and attention towards their ancestors.