The Calendar Of Azerbaijan: A Unique Cultural Perspective

Azerbaijan, like most countries in the world, uses the Gregorian calendar. This calendar, which starts the year on 1 January, was introduced by Roman ruler Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The Gregorian calendar is used alongside the Azerbaijani folk calendar, which is based on nature, the movement of celestial bodies, and agricultural traditions.

Azerbaijan uses the Gregorian calendar

The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar, which means it is based on how long it takes the Earth to complete a full revolution around the sun. A year in the Gregorian calendar is 365 days, except during leap years when it is 366 days. A leap year occurs every four years, except for years that are divisible by 100, unless they are also divisible by 400.

The Gregorian calendar is structured into 12 months, with each month containing either 28, 30, or 31 days. The months are, in order: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December.

In Azerbaijan, the Gregorian calendar is used to mark the country's public holidays, which include:

• Novruz (Persian New Year)
• National Salvation Day
• Solidarity Day of World Azerbaijanis
• International Women's Day
• Festival of Sacrifice
• Republic Day
• Armed Forces Day
• Independence Day
• National Flag Day
• Constitution Day
• National Revival Day

The Azerbaijani folk calendar is based on nature, celestial movements, and agricultural traditions

The Azerbaijani folk calendar is steeped in nature, celestial movements, and agricultural traditions. The transition from winter to spring, a time when the world sleeps, is celebrated with the Novruz holiday. The folk calendar includes months such as the month of plowing, migration, vay nene, irrigation, and harvest.

The folk calendar also marks special times, such as the month of Garayaz, which is the period from the end of April to late spring, and the month of Goygavan/Goygovan, when cattle emerge from winter. The folk calendar further divides the year into distinct periods, such as the time of migration from the highlands, the period of leaf shedding, and the time of transitioning from autumn to winter.

The Azerbaijani folk calendar also includes various ceremonies and festivities, such as the Mountain Migration, Shepherd's Festival, and Grass Migration. It reflects the deep connection between the Azerbaijani people and nature, with each month and period given unique names and significance.

The folk calendar is closely tied to agricultural practices and the changing seasons, with terms like "the month of harvest" and "the month of irrigation" that indicate the specific activities undertaken during those times.

Additionally, the folk calendar incorporates the movement of celestial bodies, with references to the appearance of comet-like stars and the changing positions of the sun and moon influencing the naming and timing of various periods and festivals.

The Azerbaijani folk calendar is a rich tapestry of traditions, nature, and celestial movements, providing a unique perspective on time and the changing seasons.

Azerbaijan has 12 public holidays

• New Year's Day (1 and 2 January)
• Women's Day (8 March)
• Victory Day over Fascism (9 May)
• Independence Day (28 May)
• National Salvation Day (15 June)
• Armed Forces Day (26 June)
• Restoration of Independence Day (18 October)
• Victory Day (8 November)
• National Flag Day (9 November)
• Constitution Day (12 November)
• National Revival Day (17 November)
• World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day (31 December)

Azerbaijan also has two non-working religious days: Ramadan and Qurban (Eid al-Adha).

The country's folk calendar is based on nature, the movement of celestial bodies, and agricultural traditions. The transition from winter to spring is celebrated with the Novruz holiday, which is also a public holiday.

The country also celebrates religious holidays like Ramadan and Qurban

Azerbaijan is the only Muslim country in the South Caucasus, and its culture and customs differ from its Christian neighbours, Georgia and Armenia. As a result, Azerbaijan's festivities and public holidays also differ from theirs. While Muslims in Azerbaijan celebrate Ramadan and Novruz, they do not celebrate Christmas or Easter.

Azerbaijan is a highly secular and irreligious country. The only remaining non-working religious holidays are Ramadan and Qurban (also known as Gurban Bayrami, Eid al-Adha, or Eid Qurban).

Ramadan Bayrami, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is a significant religious festival celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. The festival starts after sunset on the last day of Ramadan and continues until the evening of the following day. In Azerbaijan, two days off work are granted to celebrate the Ramadan holiday. People assemble in mosques to pray, gather with families and friends to feast, and give small gifts to children. It is also obligatory to make a financial donation to the poor so that they too can celebrate.

Qurban Bayrami is an Islamic holiday that honours Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. It is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice and is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic world. Traditionally, Qurban Bayrami lasts for three consecutive days, two of which are state holidays in Azerbaijan. Celebrations centre around the sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep. The meat is then divided into three parts to be shared with family, the poor, and friends.

In addition to these religious holidays, Azerbaijan also celebrates Novruz, a spring festival with Zoroastrian roots that is celebrated by almost all Azerbaijanis.

The Novruz holiday marks the New Year and the arrival of spring

Azerbaijan celebrates the arrival of spring and the New Year with Novruz (or Nowruz), a public holiday that is also known as the Persian New Year. Falling on the spring equinox, when the days and nights are of equal length, Novruz marks the beginning of warmer weather and longer days.

The festival is an ancient one, with its roots in Sumerian and Babylonian civilisations. The first records of Novruz as a spring festival date back to 505 BC. The holiday is also associated with Zoroastrian beliefs, with fire worship forming an integral part of the celebrations.

Preparation for Novruz begins a month in advance, with each of the four Tuesdays leading up to the festival dedicated to one of the four elements: water, fire, wind, and soil. Each Tuesday has its own khoncha, a large silver or copper tray filled with items that correspond to the element being celebrated. For instance, on Water Tuesday, the khoncha is filled with pure drinking water.

On the eve of Novruz, families visit and tend the graves of their relatives. They then gather around a table filled with traditional dishes and decorated with a khoncha featuring Samani (wheat that was planted on Water Tuesday) in the centre, surrounded by candles and painted eggs. The feast consists of at least seven dishes.

Novruz is the most important holiday in Azerbaijan, and workers are given five days off to celebrate. The holiday is also a time for purification and renewal, with activities such as spring cleaning, planting trees, making new clothes, and painting eggs.

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