23-03-2025, 09:25

Today, we celebrate "Yel Chershenbesi."

Soon, one of the oldest, most beloved, and joyful holidays in Azerbaijan, Novruz Bayram, will come. Since ancient times, Azerbaijanis have ceremoniously celebrated "Yel Chershenbesi." According to beliefs, on this day, the wind awakens the water and fire, stirs the buds of trees, and spring begins its reign. The sun's rays warm the air, and in the villages, preparations for spring fieldwork begin. This day is also called "Külək oyadan çərşənbə" ("Wind Awakening Tuesday") or "Küləkli çərşənbə" ("Windy Tuesday"). In ancient times, housewives would air out the house and take mattresses, pillows, and quilts outside to freshen up, beat carpets, and shake out rugs. The home was filled with clean air and the refreshing breath of the coming spring.

It is customary to prepare milk pilaf ("südlü plov") or crumbly pilaf made from bulgur. Indeed, these dishes are not only tasty but also light and "airy," making them perfect for the celebration of "Yel Chershenbesi." And of course, the table must be abundant with dried fruits and various grain-based desserts, particularly "semeni halvası" – halva made from the juice of sprouted wheat grains. On this day, a red ribbon is tied around the growing "siami" (a sprout) to symbolize the arrival of spring.

Our ancestors used to say, "Do not curse the wind" ("Yel əsdirəni söyməzlər"), which, in those ancient times, was connected to the cult of the wind, symbolizing the air that accompanies a person throughout their life – from the first to the last breath.

According to beliefs, on "Yel Chershenbesi," all four winds: Ag-yel, Gara-yel, Khazri, and Gilavar break free from the "black pitcher." Each wind is dressed in a specific color: Ag-yel (white wind) in white, Gara-yel (black wind) in black, Khazri (north wind) in blue, and Gilavar (south wind) in red. The mighty wind element was embodied by "Yel Baba" ("Father of the Winds"), depicted in folklore as an elderly man. This mythical elder helped lost travelers find their way home by sending them a thread that unraveled from his breath and led them directly to their home.

The main ritual of this day, of course, involves bonfires, which must be lit in every yard, as, according to ancient beliefs, the fire takes away all the misfortunes of the past year. By jumping over the bonfire, we symbolically give all our troubles, hardships, and disappointments to the fire – a cleansing ritual before Novruz. It is absolutely forbidden to pour water on the fire. After the fire is extinguished, the ashes are gathered and scattered around the surroundings, symbolizing that all our misfortunes have been scattered by the wind.

By the way, this day is symbolic for our capital. Baku is called the "City of Winds." The name of Baku is linked, according to various versions, both to fire and to wind. One version suggests that the ancient name of the city, Atshi-Baguan, means "Lights of Baguan" (the Zoroastrians – the pagan tribes living on the Absheron Peninsula – called Baku this way). Later sources refer to the name Badi-Kuba, meaning "City of Winds," and literally translates to "Wind Strike." In our city, the winds indeed blow constantly...