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Get ready to celebrate the Assyrian New Year, also known as Akitu, on April 1! This holiday has been observed for thousands of years and is a time of new beginnings and renewal in the Assyrian culture. The festival lasts for 12 days and includes traditional rituals, feasting, dancing, and other festivities. It's a great opportunity to learn more about this ancient civilization and their rich traditions. So mark your calendars and get ready to ring in the new year with joy and excitement!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2400 BC</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Assyrian New Year</div><div class='timeline-text'>Assyrian New Year, also known as Akitu, originates in the city of Ur, where the god of the city, Nanna, was celebrated.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Western Discovery of Assyrian Artifacts</div><div class='timeline-text'>European archaeologists uncover Assyrian monuments and inscriptions, leading to Western interest in Assyrian culture and traditions, including Akitu.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Assyrians in Post-War Diaspora</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following World War II, many Assyrians migrated to Europe and other areas establishing new communities and carrying with them their traditions, including the celebration of Akitu.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1968</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Assyrian New Year Recognized in Chicago</div><div class='timeline-text'>The city of Chicago officially recognized the Assyrian New Year, marking an important recognition of Assyrian traditions in the diaspora.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion of Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Assyrian New Year celebrations extend to major cities around the world like Sydney, Toronto and London, highlighting the global spread of this ancient cultural festival.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a traditional feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family to celebrate Assyrian New Year with a traditional feast. Prepare traditional dishes such as dolma, kubba, and pacha, and enjoy the delicious flavors of Assyrian cuisine together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a cultural event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check your local community for Assyrian New Year events, such as concerts, dances, or art exhibits. This is a great way to experience the culture and traditions of Assyrian New Year with others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn Assyrian dancing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a dance lesson or attend a workshop to learn traditional Assyrian dances. This is a fun and interactive way to celebrate the holiday while also learning more about the culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a traditional craft</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make a traditional Assyrian craft, such as a hand-woven rug or embroidered piece. This is a great way to connect with your heritage and celebrate the holiday through art.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit an Assyrian community</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you have an Assyrian community nearby, take a trip to visit and learn more about their customs and traditions during the New Year holiday. This is a great opportunity to connect with others and celebrate together.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It is a celebration of culture and heritage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Assyrian New Year, also known as Akitu, is a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultural traditions and heritage of the Assyrian people. It is a way to preserve their unique identity and pass down important customs and beliefs to future generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It marks the beginning of spring</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Assyrian New Year falls on March 21st, which is also the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and renewal - making it a particularly special time of year for many Assyrians around the world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Like many holidays, Assyrian New Year is a time for family and friends to come together, share meals, exchange gifts, and create memories. It is also a chance for Assyrian communities to gather and connect with one another, enhancing a sense of unity and pride in their shared culture.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Akitu" is derived from the Sumerian word for barley</h3><p class='facts-content'>The term "Akitu" is thought to come from the Sumerian word for barley, which was one of the first grains to be harvested in the spring.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Akitu Festival Began as an Agricultural Festival</h3><p class='facts-content'>Originally, the Assyrian New Year was a festival celebrating the sowing of barley and the renewal of nature, underlining the close connection between agriculture and Assyrian religious practices.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Assyrian New Year Celebrations Involve Parades and Processions</h3><p class='facts-content'>One of the key elements of Akitu is the parade, in which people wearing traditional Assyrian costumes perform music and dances, demonstrating vitality and cultural pride.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Holiday Celebrates Bel, the Supreme God of Babylon</h3><p class='facts-content'>While Akitu is celebrated by Assyrians, it originally commemorated the victory of the Babylonian god Bel (Marduk) over the forces of chaos, symbolizing the triumph of order and civilization.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>12-Piece Traditional Music Ensemble Joins the Parade</h3><p class='facts-content'>A typical Akitu parade features a traditional 12-piece music ensemble. Instruments like the zurna, a wind instrument, and the dawola, a large drum, create vibrant melodies that dominate the festivities.</p></div></div>
Assyrian New Year is celebrated on April 1 every year. In 2024 Assyrian New Year will occur on a Monday.
2023
Apr 1
Saturday
2024
Apr 1
Monday
2025
Apr 1
Tuesday
2026
Apr 1
Wednesday
2027
Apr 1
Thursday
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