"Celebrating the Yezidi New Year without my parents is difficult"

The Yezidi New Year celebrations begin on Wednesday and the evening of Tuesday. To remember the dead, they visit the graves and say prayers. During the celebrations eggs are boiled and coloured, traditional clothes are worn to mark this special occasion.

The celebrations start on the eve of Wednesday (Tuesday evening). Yezidis believe 24 hours of the day start at sunset, eggs are boiled and coloured, graves are visited to commemorate the dead and bring offerings and fruits for them. Yezidis also wear festive clothes to mark this special occasion and visit nearby temples, especially Lalish, where the sacred Zemzem spring, which runs in a dark cave, is located. Yezidis offer sacrifices on the entrance at the entrance to the cave and receive blessings. The hills surrounding Lalish are climbed, where they fasten colourful ribbons to the wishing trees. Red flowers are collected from the wilderness which some attach to their hair or head and later use to decorate their houses. Oils are burnt and bonfires are lit at night. People exchange gifts with close friends or neighbours.

The festive game hekkane is played, which involves egg tapping or cracking. In the evening, pilgrims gather in the inner courtyard of Lalish where Baba Sheikh and other religious dignitaries are present.

Khaled Taalo, 4th right, Yezidi New Year celebrations, Armidale Credit: Supplied

But when living abroad as many Yezidis do nowadays as a result of the August 2014 massacre. Yezidis find it difficult to celebrate the occasion without their loved ones. One of those who finds it difficult to celebrate this special occasion is newly arrived author Khalid Taalo who still has his mother and some siblings back in Iraq.

“I used to visit my parents house first thing in the morning to wish them a happy Yezidi New year. Even though I have my own family here but there is always that emptiness without my parents”.