Yalda night offers presents for brides in South Khorasan

Lively Cheleh-Baroun tradition is practiced in the Iranian province of South Khorasan during the longest night of the year, known as Yalda Night.

Yalda night or Cheleh night is one of the most ancient Persian festivals annually celebrated on December 21 in Iran and some other countries such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

This festival has a different meaning for girls who have just got married in the province as they receive gifts on this day.

On this night, the bride's family prepares to welcome the groom's family, and according to Iranian traditions, it is customary that on the longest night of the year, families of newlyweds gather together and celebrate Yalda. 

In the Kurmanj community of South Khorasan, on Cheleh night or the night before, the family members and young women close to the groom's family, carry large trays with gifts and other treats to the bride's house, while dressed in Kurmanji clothes.

The tradition is under consideration to be inscribed as a national intangible cultural heritage.  

Such microcultures of a country should be protected for younger generations as each bears a humanistic message to be cherished.

AG/AG