Akito is heritage, history renewed in New Babylon

The July 19 Revolution renewed the spirit of Akito Festival in the regions of north and east Syria. The official of the Syriac Cultural Association in Syria says that what protected the heritage and culture of the region from extinction and revived it is the concept of a democratic nation.

30 March, 2021 21:46

NEWSDESK - AKRAM BARAKAT

The 1st of April marks the Babylonian-Assyrian New Year, known as Akito, the oldest Assyrian Babylonian Eid in human history. According to historical sources, the Akito festival, which is celebrated by the Assyrians, Syriacs and Chaldeans, dates back to 6771 years.

(Akito) is one of the most ancient and international popular religious festivals. It was celebrated in the Sumerian era according to the vegetative cycle of the harvest and sowing season, both of which mark the new year.

Due to its holiness, the Assyrian calendar begins in April and ends in Mar. Its ritual begins on March 21 and continues until April 1, and every day is distinguished by a specific form of celebration. It also symbolizes birth, death and life.

Archaeologist Hikmat Bashir, asserts: “Akito Eid fascinated the religious imagination of the people and civilization of Mesopotamia for more than 2,500 years, because it was unusually rich in religious, mythological, social and political rituals and symbols. Its symbols, its social content and its ability to change. "

Hanna Soumi, head of the Syriac Cultural Association in Syria - Qamishlo branch, spoke to our agency about some of its rituals in ancient times, and indicated that all the kings were attending Akito Eid within Great Babylon. He said, "There were beautiful rituals on Akito, Where the king is on the chariot and the people pull his ear, indicating the need for the king to listen to the people to be the decisive factor, and the king says to the people: Sit down in my place.

April Fools' Truth

He went on to narrate some details of the festival and said: “After the people sit in the place of the king, the king disappears, there is complete chaos in Babylon, and on April 1, the king is found, and weddings prevail in the region, and the famous April Fool came from here. That is, to the effect that the king did not truly disappear, but it wast just a play. "

In the regions of northern and eastern Syria, and before the July 19 revolution, 2012, Syriacs, Assyrians, and Chaldeans used to celebrate festivities within churches or cultural houses, because the ruling regimes prevented it, given its importance, as it was not only a religious feast but was linked to culture and heritage, It also contributes to consolidating the bonds of love, solidarity and cohesion among the components of the region.

And after establishment of the Autonomous Administration, there are platforms and places to celebrate it, in addition to the participation of all components of the region, including the Kurds and Arabs.

Hanna Soumy touched on the celebrations that were taking place in the region, after Akito, and said: “Before (the 19 July Revolution) the celebrations were not as today, really today and under the roof of the Autonomous Administration we have places and protection, and this confirms the spirit of solidarity and cohesion in the region. It reflects the spirit of the ritual feast of Akito in the past, as it was in Great Babylon. "

Suomi pointed out that Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs, and Assyrians before the Ottoman’s entry into the region were united, and he said: “Since the Turks came, they started killing Christians and the organization of invasions against our forefathers, who used to go from Mespotamia to Jerusalem for pilgrimage. "

Revive old relationships

He indicated that the peoples of the region have restored the old relations, and share each other's occasions. He said, "under the Autonomous Administration, we have revived the national, social, cultural, cognitive and moral unity."

He called on all components in the Middle East to emulate the experience of the people of the region, and said: "We say to all the people of Syria and the Middle East, in which people are slaughtered on the basis of identity, come to the new Babylon, in which all components unite to celebrate Nowruz and Akito."

He explained that what unified the components of the region within the regions of North and East, which he described as New Babylon, is the thought of the democratic nation put forward by the leader Abdullah Ocalan, who glorifies and reveres the Assyrian-Chaldean Syriac, and said: “Had it not been for the thought of the democratic nation, this human thought, we would have slaughtered as it happens. Now in the Syrian interior and the countryside of Damascus. "

He noted: "We have not seen throughout history an ideology that supports our cultural and political project just as the ideology of the democratic nation has supported it."

This, and the Assyrian, Syriac, Kurdish and Arab folk and heritage groups are now preparing to celebrate the Akito Festival in the regions of north and east Syria.

ANHA