The Amazing Land of Armenia: The Culture

Hello! Today I will be continuing last post's theme of Armenia and will be introducing you guys to some of the fun cultural facts about Armenia. Today, we will be looking at some of the traditional foods and traditional dress that are apart of the Armenian culture. Let's go!

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Traditional Foods

Mante

Mante is a grilled dumpling made either of minced lamb or beef, served with garlic sprinkles and yogurt. Mante is Armenia’s national food.

Interested in making this dish? Here are some links:

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/members/samiams-mante

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwAOyssnHOU

Dolma

Dolmas (or Tolmas in the original language) are lentils, tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, eggplant, parsley, mint, red pepper, onions, coriander and rice all wrapped in grape leaves (during Winter) or cabbage leaves (during Summer). This is an ideal vegan recipe, usually eaten during Lent.

Interested in making this dish? Here are some links:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25310/dolmas-stuffed-grape-leaves/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGros9GGf3Y (In this video, the cook adds meat but you can make it without the meat as well)

Choereg

Choereg is a finely prepared sweet bread from white flour, baking soda, egg, dry yeast and vanilla with sprinkle sesame seeds when served. This bread is considered to be the traditional Easter bread.

Interested in making this dish? Here are some links:

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/84405/choereg-armenian-easter-bread/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccXn9eMm3yU

Harissa

Harissa is a porridge prepared with chicken, lamb, or beef along with wheat grits. Harissa is considered a tradition dish, usually eaten during Easter. It was believed to be made an fed to the poor and downtrodden by the Great Armenian Saint Gregory the Illuminator

Interested in making this dish? Here are some links:

https://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/armenian-pearl-barley-and-chicken-stew-harissa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MluRMkL7eVM

Khash

Khash is a soup with sheep or cows feet, garlic, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Traditionally, annual parties are dedicated and based on eating khash with alcohol. On a normal day, this soup is enjoyed during cold morning and is good hangover.

Interested in making this dish? Here are some links:

http://www.clovegarden.com/recipes/tmm_khash1.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pewt9tc2nM

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Traditional Holidays

Trndez

On February 14, 40 days after Christmas, Armenian Apostolic Church and all Armenians celebrate “Tearnyndaraj” (Candlemas Day) or as people like to call it - Trndez. According to the Gospel 40 days after the birth of Christ Mary and Joseph took the baby to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and to consecrate to the temple. They met an old man named Simon who had asked God to give him a long life so that he could see the son of God. Hence, the holiday was created and named “Tearnyndaraj”, which means “to come to meet the Lord, the Christ”. The name “Trndez” or “Terndez” is accepted among people. It means “the Lord is with you”.

The celebrations begin in the evening of the 13th of February as according to church calendar new day begins after the evening divine service when the fields and gardens are blessed. Then a festive bonfire is made in the churchyard. The right of making fire belongs only to the newly married couples who got married that year. After that the couples jump over the fire. The presents light their candles by the candle burning in the church, return home and make bonfires with that light in their yard as during consecrating Christ to the temple people came to meet him with lamps. After the holiday liturgy in the morning of the 14th of February the ceremony of the blessing of the newly married couples takes place in all churches to reinforce their love and loyalty alliance.

Tsakhkazard

On April 1, the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church celebrates one of the most beautiful celebrations of the holiday calendar, Tsakhkazard (Palm Sunday). Tsakhkazard symbolizes the solemn and triumphant entrance of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The symbol of Tsakhkazard contains in itself several important events linked to the last days of Christ on Earth, particularly the resurrection of Lazar, which was one of the miracles that Christ made happen and which Our Lord implemented on the day before entering Jerusalem. This glorified Him before his tortures.

Sources:

http://hayernaysor.am/en/archives/4029

https://barevarmenia.com/travelblog/terndez/

Until Next Time!