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Yalda Night (also known as Shab-e Yalda or Chelleh Night) is a cultural festival in the Middle East and Central Asia. It is celebrated on the longest night of the year, usually on 21 December. The festival symbolizes hope, renewal and the enduring bond of community. In Canada, members of the Iranian, Kurdish, Afghan and other diasporas continue to celebrate Yalda Night. They also share their traditions and values with other cultural communities. The festival has grown from a regional tradition into an international celebration of unity and togetherness through storytelling, poetry, music and shared meals.
Origins and History of Yalda Night
Ancient civilizations, including the Aryans of India, Iran and Europe, used to observe the longest night of winter. They celebrated the sun’s rebirth as days grew longer and nights became shorter. This also symbolized the start of a new year.
Iranians adopted their annual renewal festival from the Babylonians and incorporated it into the rituals of the Zoroastrian religion. In 502 BCE, Darius I, the king of Persia, legally included Yalda Night in the old Iranian calendar.
Over time, Yalda Night developed into a more structured festival, where people gathered to enjoy fruits and nuts while also reading poetry or sacred texts. The tradition focused on staying awake through the night to protect against misfortune. In recent centuries, as part of the tradition, people started reciting poetry from the Iranian poet Hafez.
Background
Today, Yalda Night is still one of the oldest festivals celebrated in various regions and nations. These include Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kurdistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Dagestan and Turkey.
The festival most often occurs on 21 December, coinciding with the winter solstice — the longest and darkest night of the year. On this night, people celebrate the birth of Mithra, the god of light. The event symbolizes the triumph of light, warmth and life over the darkness and cold of the barren winter months.
Did you know?
The word Yalda is derived from a Syriac (a dialect of Aramaic) word meaning “Birth” in English.
To celebrate, families and friends participate in communal activities like feasting, sharing stories and reciting poetry. As people in different countries celebrate the night, they also do so in various ways, reflecting their unique circumstances and lifestyles. The common theme, however, remains the same: staying awake during the night through various activities. In North America, particularly in Canada, Yalda Night plays a crucial role in fostering cultural diversity and unity among various communities.
Cultural Practices of Yalda Night
Yalda Night combines ancient traditions with modern festivities. It is a unique expression of cultural heritage and the strong bonds between family and friends. On this special night, family and close friends gather at the home of the eldest family member to spend time together. They do so to keep away any bad spirits, and to celebrate light over darkness.
The evening begins with the wearing of traditional clothes (though some may wear modern clothing) and the decorating of the home. Red-coloured elements, such as tablecloths, dishes and decorations, are often used to symbolize life and energy.
Families prepare traditional foods, and celebrants fill the table with nuts and dried fruits like almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, figs, apricots and raisins. Other sweets are also included. As key symbols of Yalda Night, pomegranates and watermelons are notably included. Participants also place candles on tables and around the house to brighten the long night.
As the night goes on, people eat, laugh together and share stories. Poetry plays a central role in the celebration. Each community shares its classics — Persian families often recite Hafez’s 14th-century poems, while Kurdish families enjoy the 19th-century works of Nali. Classical and modern music, whether recorded or performed live, adds to the joy and creates a festive atmosphere. In some regions, people celebrate Yalda Night in academic settings, sharing its history and traditions.
Myths and Symbols that Illuminate Yalda Night
Each Yalda Night element and activity holds deeper symbolic significance and myths, reflecting values and traditions that go beyond their surface appearances.
Red is a powerful symbol. It represents the colours of dawn, life and warmth during the cold, gloomy season.
Nuts and dried fruits known as Ajil symbolize abundance and prosperity.
Pomegranates, often placed atop fruit baskets, symbolize the cycle of life and renewal. The fruit’s purple skin represents birth or new beginnings. Meanwhile, its vibrant red seeds symbolize vitality and life.
Watermelons symbolize the hope for a prosperous and abundant year. Eating watermelons holds special significance. It’s believed that consuming summer fruits helps keep celebrators healthy and protected from illness during the cold winter months.
Candles and lights symbolize the sun and the triumph of light over darkness. The gentle glow reminds people that brighter days will return. On the first night of winter, which usually coincides with 21 December, darkness is overcome by light. Thus, people celebrate the entire night by lighting candles; burning them all night to symbolize the defeat of the forces of evil.
Poetry has come to shape how celebrations are carried out. For instance, one practice involves each family member making a wish. They then randomly open a poetry book and ask the eldest member of the family to read the selected poem aloud. The lines of the poem are believed to be an interpretation of the wish and whether, or how, it might come true.
Yalda Night in Canada
Yalda Night has become an important cultural tradition in Canada, where families gather to share its rich history and values. Communities such as Iranians, Kurds, Baloches (an ethnic group in parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran), Tajiks and Azerbaijanis use Yalda as a way to connect with their heritage. Yalda also helps ease the stress of busy lives while strengthening bonds with loved ones. This celebration not only helps pass down traditions to younger generations but promotes unity and cultural pride across diverse communities.
Yalda is particularly important for immigrant diasporas with home countries that face dire situations. For instance, Yalda Night gives the Afghan diaspora the will to fight against the Taliban. (See also Canada and the War in Afghanistan.) Meanwhile, Balochi people share stories of their heroes, focusing on legendary figures who fought for their freedom and honour. This tradition helps teach newer generations about their history. Doing so is also a subtle resistance against Iranian and Pakistani regimes by preserving their cultural pride and identity.
The celebration plays a significant role in promoting mental well-being by creating a sense of connection, relaxation and cultural grounding. This enriches the overall narrative of the event.
