The Allenby APA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is pleased to share information on heritage and history months celebrated by the TDSB. We also encourage Allenby families to share their celebrations and traditions with us so that we can learn more about each other and connect as a community.
Yaldā Night
Yaldā Night, also known as Chelle Night, is a longstanding celebration observed in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Kurdistan and Balochistan, during the winter solstice, typically occurring on the night of December 20/21 in the Gregorian calendar or the night between the conclusion of the ninth month (Azar) and the commencement of the tenth month (Dey) in the Iranian solar calendar.
This festival, culturally significant in regions influenced by Iranian traditions, marks the longest and darkest night of the year. Families and friends come together to engage in communal activities, including eating, drinking, and reading poetry, particularly works by Hafez and the Shahnameh, well into the midnight hours. The consumption of fruits and nuts, with a special focus on pomegranates and watermelons, carries symbolic meaning, representing the vibrant colors of dawn and the essence of life.
For poetry lovers, enjoy this poem by Hafez:
All the Hemispheres
Leave the familiar for a while.
Let your senses and bodies stretch out
Like a welcomed season
Onto the meadows and shores and hills.
Open up to the Roof.
Make a new water-mark on your excitement
And love.
Like a blooming night flower,
Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness
And giving
Upon our intimate assembly.
Change rooms in your mind for a day.
All the hemispheres in existence
Lie beside an equator
In your heart.
Greet Yourself
In your thousand other forms
As you mount the hidden tide and travel
Back home.
All the hemispheres in heaven
Are sitting around a fire
Chatting
While stitching themselves together
Into the Great Circle inside of
You.
Saligrah Khushyali
Hello!
My name is Rose Allen and as an Ismaili Muslim, I’m here to share about an important day of celebration for the nearly 15 million Ismailis world wide.
Today, on December 13th, the Shia Ismaili Muslims will celebrate the birthday of the present living 49th Imam – the Aga Khan – who is the spiritual guide to the Ismaili Muslims.
On this day, Shia Ismailis celebrate the occasion by going to the mosque to pray, getting henna on their hands and/or feet, and eating treats!
The celebration of the Aga Khan’s birthday is an occasion for Ismailis to express their love, loyalty and devotion to the Imam and the community.
Thank you for listening and Happy Khushyali to those who are celebrating!
By Rose Allen, Grade 4
Thank you to the Hosseini and Allen families for sharing this month!