Yalda with Mom and Dad
The Educational Approach of Jivan Publishing
At Jivan Publishing, our primary goal is not to teach children how to read and write—these are the most basic forms of literacy. In today’s world, the concept of literacy encompasses much more than this. Our main objective is to teach culture and language to children in an enjoyable, pleasant, indirect, and holistic way. The core of our productions is education within the context of life, founded on a growth-oriented (blossoming) approach.
The product before you is about Yalda. For us, Yalda is not merely a one-night event; it is a concept that a child can live with for some time, exploring a chain of cultural meanings. Providing unhurried time for cultural learning is essential, allowing the child to gradually become familiar with cultural elements, savor them, and experience them deeply. It is akin to experiencing Iranian art, which inherently values slowness, as seen in the intricate designs of architecture, garden layouts, and carpet weaving.
Deep and self-motivated learning occurs during exploration, in the context of life, and through moments of leisure!
Conversation and Discussion clues
Engage in conversations about the beauty of autumn and the beginning of winter. Autumn is a season of transformation, with falling leaves, cooler days, and animals preparing for the colder months. It’s a time to observe nature’s cycles and how they influence both the environment and wildlife.
Yalda Night: The Longest Night of the Year
Yalda, meaning “birth,” symbolizes the rebirth of the sun. It marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, and has been one of the oldest Iranian traditions. This celebration is a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness and has parallels in other Western cultures.
For instance, in Western traditions like the Yule festival in Scandinavia and Celtic ceremonies, people gather to commemorate this night and express gratitude for the return of light and the sun in the days ahead. Both Yalda and Yule are rooted in ancient beliefs that celebrate seasonal changes and the cycles of nature as symbols of rebirth and hope.
These nights, in all traditions, are an opportunity for reflection, family gatherings, and reconnecting with nature and the promise of new beginnings.
Autumn Wildlife Activities
Autumn is a busy time for many animals as they prepare for winter. Here are some notable examples:
- Deer and Mountain Goats: They become more active during their mating season, making them more visible in nature.
- Migratory Birds: Birds like storks, geese, and herons migrate to warmer regions, and their migration paths are a fascinating sight.
- Hedgehogs: Before hibernation, hedgehogs are busy searching for food to store energy, making them more noticeable.
- Squirrels: They gather and store nuts and seeds to prepare for the winter, showing heightened activity.
- Bears: Bears eat high-energy foods to build up fat reserves for hibernation.
- Foxes: Foxes are more active in hunting and preparing for the colder months.
- Owls: With shorter days and longer nights, owls have more time to hunt and are more frequently spotted.
Autumn provides a great opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitats as they prepare for migration or hibernation.
By engaging children in these discussions, you can connect them to the beauty of nature and cultural traditions like Yalda Night, creating meaningful experiences that celebrate the cycles of life and nature.
Yalda in the Past
In the past, rituals during this season were filled with profound symbolism and communal joy. One notable tradition was an all-night celebration, staying awake until dawn to witness the rebirth of the sun with the sunrise. This gathering often included the presence of elders and family leaders, symbolizing the aging sun at the end of autumn.
The night was accompanied by an abundance of foods to sustain the long wakefulness, including pomegranates, watermelons, and jujubes, all red in color to represent the sun.
Key customs of the night included:
- Family Gatherings: Bringing everyone together to share warmth and stories.
- Snacks and Nuts: Preparing Ajil (a mix of nuts and dried fruits) and other seasonal treats.
- Storytelling: Sharing tales that often carried wisdom or cultural significance.
- Hafez Divination (Fal-e Hafez): Reading poems from Hafez’s Divan for guidance or entertainment.
- Water Jug Divination (Fal-e Kuzeh): A traditional method of seeking insights.
- Poetry Recitation (Beyt Khani): Reciting verses to entertain and inspire.
These rituals embodied a spirit of reflection, togetherness, and hope, celebrating the victory of light over darkness and the natural cycles of life.