page_title: Yazidism
section_title: Festivals
hierarchical_section_title: Yazidism / Religious practices / Festivals
context_page_description: Yazidism, or Dasni, is a monotheistic faith followed by the mostly Kurmanji-speaking Yazidis and based on belief in one God who created the world and entrusted it into the care of seven Holy Beings, known as Angels. Preeminent among these Angels is Tawûsê Melek who is the leader of the Angels and who has authority over the world. Yazidis are called Miletê Tawûsê Melek.
context_section_description: The Yazidi New Year (Sersal) is called Çarşema Sor (Red Wednesday)
   or Çarşema Serê Nîsanê (Wednesday at the beginning of April) and it falls in Spring, on the first Wednesday on or after the 14th of April.
  One of the most important Yazidi festivals is Îda Êzî ("Feast of Êzî"). Which every year takes place on the first Friday on or after the 14th of December. Before this festival, the Yazidis fast for 3 days, where nothing is eaten from sunrise to sunset. The Îda Êzî festival is celebrated in honor of God and the 3 days of fasting before are also associated with the ever shorter days before the winter solstice, when the sun is less and less visible. With the Îda Êzî festival, the fasting time is ended. The festival is often celebrated with music, food, drinks and dance.
  Another important festival is the Tawûsgeran where Qewals and other religious dignitaries visit Yazidi villages, bringing the sinjaq, sacred images of a peacock symbolizing Tawûsê Melek. These are venerated, fees are collected from the pious, sermons are preached and holy water and berat (small stones from Lalish) distributed.
  The greatest festival of the year is the Cemaiya ("Feast of the Assembly"), which includes an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Sheikh Adi (Şêx Adî) in Lalish, northern Iraq. The festival is celebrated from 6 October to 13 October, in honor of Sheikh Adi. It is an important time for cohesion.
  If possible, Yazidis make at least one pilgrimage to Lalish during their lifetime, and those living in the region try to attend at least once a year for the Feast of the Assembly in autumn.
caption: Tomb of Sheikh Adi (Şêx Adî) in Lalish
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