Assyrian New Year 2024, 1 April

Assyrian new year is also known as Kha b-Nisan, Ha b-Nisin (ܚܕ ܒܢܝܣܢ, First Of April), Resha d-Sheta (Assyrian: ܪܫܐ ܕܫܢܬܐ, “Head of the year”) and as Akitu (Assyrian: ܐܟܝܬܘ). It is mainly celebrated in northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and northwestern Iran, on the first day of April.

This day goes back to ancient Mesopotamia when people celebrated the sowing of barley, and celebrated this day as the first day of the year. It marked the rebirth of nature in spring.

On this Assyrian New Year day Assyrians wear traditional costumes, organize parties and dance for hours. No matter what place or country they are in, they throw parties for their friends and family. Also a lot of mouth watering meals are prepared on this day.

Assyrian New Year Facts

After the formation of Turkey, the Assyrian New Year was debarred as public celebrations. Assyrians in Turkey were first allowed to publicly celebrate Kha b’ Nisan in 2005.
The Assyrian New Year was the biggest festival in the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian Empires.
In ancient Assyria, the New Year festival was celebrated for 12 days and was the most significant event of the year.
One of the largest Assyrian New Year celebration took place in Iraq in 2008. Public celebrations were not allowed by Saddam Hussein’s regime prior to the start of the Iraq war. The event was organized by the Assyrian Democratic Movement(ADM) and between 45,000 and 65,000 people took part in the parade.
In 2004, Hon. George Radanovich of the California State Assembly recognized the Assyrian New Year and extended his wishes to the Assyrian community in California. This was later followed by a letter from the California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, to the Assyrian community in California congratulating them on the annual celebration.

How To Celebrate it?

You can organize social events. parades and parties.
The men and women wear traditional clothes and dance in parks for hours.
You can participate in a beautiful tradition where girls gather flowers which are then suspended under the house’s roof. It is known as “Deqna d-Nisan”(ܕܩܢܐ ܕܢܝܣܢ), meaning “the beard of April/Spring”.