Yezidi New Year (Red Wednesday) · Çarşema Sor

Culture of origin: Yezidi · Cultural

Holiday sources: Yezidism

The Yezidi New Year, Sersal, also called Çarşema Sor ("Red Wednesday") or Çarşema Serê Nîsanê, falls on the first Wednesday of April in the Julian calendar, the first Wednesday on or after 14 April in the Gregorian. It is a feast for Tawûsê Melek, the Peacock Angel, who Yezidi tradition says came down to earth on this day, and it is distinct from Nowruz, which Yezidis keep with all Kurds on 21 March. On the Tuesday evening people dye eggs, bake sawuk bread, visit the graves of their dead and go to the temples, above all Lalish, where pilgrims light lamps and wicks from a sacred fire. Before dawn a mixture of clay, eggshell and red flowers is put beside doorways; the day is spent visiting and feasting, and travel is avoided because the day is held unlucky, a belief Iranians link with Chaharshanbe Suri. No Yezidi weddings are held in April.