03:57Hundreds of Yazidis celebrated the arrival of the New Year, known as the 'Red Wednesday', at Lalish Temple, east of Duhok in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday.
Footage shows pilgrims wearing traditional clothing at the Lalish Temple and the shrine of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a prominent Yazidi religious figure.
The video also features people using pure olive oil to light up small lamps representing the days of the year amid festive ceremonies.
The New Year falls on the first Wednesday of April according to the Eastern Kurdish calendar, which is 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar and marks the beginning of Spring.
“For us, visiting Lalish Temple is a duty at the New Year; this is our pilgrimage. Every Yazidi shall perform this pilgrimage to this sacred place. There is no difference between Yazidi and Christianity. For us, Yazidis, there is no difference between all religions. Lalish is for all people of various religions; it is for all humanity,” a visitor said.
Yazidis avoid performing marriage ceremonies in April and are forbidden from ploughing the land during the first half of the month. This is to show respect for the sacred month of April as it is seen as the 'Bride of the Year'.
Iraqi Yazidis live in the Sinjar and Bashiqa mountains, as well as the bordering area between Duhok and Nineveh governorates.
In addition to the 'Red Wednesday', Yazidis observe other holidays with a close connection to nature, including Jamaya Shikhadi 'Jamayi' in the mid-year, during which they prepare for Winter.
Historians believe that Yazidism was inspired by multiple sources including the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian religions, as well as the Sun God in the ancient Near East.
Yazidis celebrate 'Red Wednesday' at Lalish Temple in Iraq’s Kurdistan
Hundreds of Yazidis celebrated the arrival of the New Year, known as the 'Red Wednesday', at Lalish Temple, east of Duhok in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday.
Footage shows pilgrims wearing traditional clothing at the Lalish Temple and the shrine of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a prominent Yazidi religious figure.
The video also features people using pure olive oil to light up small lamps representing the days of the year amid festive ceremonies.
The New Year falls on the first Wednesday of April according to the Eastern Kurdish calendar, which is 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar and marks the beginning of Spring.
“For us, visiting Lalish Temple is a duty at the New Year; this is our pilgrimage. Every Yazidi shall perform this pilgrimage to this sacred place. There is no difference between Yazidi and Christianity. For us, Yazidis, there is no difference between all religions. Lalish is for all people of various religions; it is for all humanity,” a visitor said.
Yazidis avoid performing marriage ceremonies in April and are forbidden from ploughing the land during the first half of the month. This is to show respect for the sacred month of April as it is seen as the 'Bride of the Year'.
Iraqi Yazidis live in the Sinjar and Bashiqa mountains, as well as the bordering area between Duhok and Nineveh governorates.
In addition to the 'Red Wednesday', Yazidis observe other holidays with a close connection to nature, including Jamaya Shikhadi 'Jamayi' in the mid-year, during which they prepare for Winter.
Historians believe that Yazidism was inspired by multiple sources including the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian religions, as well as the Sun God in the ancient Near East.
Hundreds of Yazidis celebrated the arrival of the New Year, known as the 'Red Wednesday', at Lalish Temple, east of Duhok in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday.
Footage shows pilgrims wearing traditional clothing at the Lalish Temple and the shrine of Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, a prominent Yazidi religious figure.
The video also features people using pure olive oil to light up small lamps representing the days of the year amid festive ceremonies.
The New Year falls on the first Wednesday of April according to the Eastern Kurdish calendar, which is 13 days later than the Gregorian calendar and marks the beginning of Spring.
“For us, visiting Lalish Temple is a duty at the New Year; this is our pilgrimage. Every Yazidi shall perform this pilgrimage to this sacred place. There is no difference between Yazidi and Christianity. For us, Yazidis, there is no difference between all religions. Lalish is for all people of various religions; it is for all humanity,” a visitor said.
Yazidis avoid performing marriage ceremonies in April and are forbidden from ploughing the land during the first half of the month. This is to show respect for the sacred month of April as it is seen as the 'Bride of the Year'.
Iraqi Yazidis live in the Sinjar and Bashiqa mountains, as well as the bordering area between Duhok and Nineveh governorates.
In addition to the 'Red Wednesday', Yazidis observe other holidays with a close connection to nature, including Jamaya Shikhadi 'Jamayi' in the mid-year, during which they prepare for Winter.
Historians believe that Yazidism was inspired by multiple sources including the ancient Babylonian and Assyrian religions, as well as the Sun God in the ancient Near East.