Tirma Sizzeh Shu

Culture of origin: Mazandarani · Ancient festival

Holiday sources: Gilak · Iran · Mazandarani

Tirma Sizzeh Shu, 'the night of the 13th of Tir', is the chief festival of the Tabari calendar and the Caspian form of Tirgan; because the Tabari months run apart from the official ones, it falls on the night of 12 Aban. Families gather to eat fruit and sweets made for the night, tell tales and sing, while boys with covered faces, the lal, go from house to house tapping people with sticks (lal-shish) for dried fruit and sweets.