The Circassian New Year, a significant occasion once marking spring’s arrival, now faces questions about its relevance in modern society. The tradition, known as Ilhesyshhe Zeblechyghu, or ‘the alternation of the heads of the years,’ arrives with the spring equinox and lasts for three days, typically between 21–23 March. Historically, it was a family-centered celebration of winter’s end and the start of the working year, filled with visits, abundant food, and ancient rituals.
In the past, on the eve of the new year, Circassians avoided hunting and men left their weapons at home. Eggs were untouched, symbolizing respect for new life. That night, the sky would glow as seven candles illuminated a sapling with seven branches, and doors remained open for visitors offering sweets and blessings.
The village transformed into a timeless space, guiding the night towards spring. Today, as Circassians increasingly reside in urban centers, the significance of the Circassian New Year has diminished. However, the tradition persists, reimagined as a festival with concerts and events in places like Adygea and Kabarda–Balkaria.
Some value it as a cultural memory, while others view it as a theatrical or pagan revival. The turning point in Maykop, sparked by Halloween and the efforts of Asfar Kuyek, led to the holiday’s official recognition in Adygea in 2004. Celebrations moved from the Philharmonic Hall to monuments, but public enthusiasm waned.
In Adygea, Bulat Khalilov argues that the region preserved a Soviet-style cultural celebration, resembling a manufactured “Halloween.” Conversely, in Nalchik, Kabarda-Balkaria, the holiday was never formally revived, simply adapting over time. Astemir Shebzukho recalls childhood celebrations centered around a black-feathered chicken and djedlibzhe, a chicken stew, believing in a “battle between good and evil.” As the family moved to the city, the ritual lost its potency, the day’s “special charm” fading. Despite attempts to revive the new year in Nalchik, the tradition’s core essence shifted, reflecting the changes in rural life and the loss of its agrarian roots.
The celebration now occupies a smaller space, a theatrical performance of a once deeply meaningful new year.
Topics: #new #year #circassian
The Circassian New Year, a historically important event signifying the start of spring, is currently being examined for its continued importance. This tradition, called Ilhesyshhe Zeblechyghu – ‘the a