Azerbaijani culture is rich in vibrant traditions that remain relevant to this day. From Novruz rituals to wedding customs, these practices are passed from generation to generation, preserving the warmth of family values.
Çərşənbə
The four Tuesdays leading up to the biggest holiday of the year — Novruz — are marked by family gatherings, traditional rituals, and festivities. Each represents one of the four elements — water, earth, wind, and fire.
Jumping over the bonfire at Novruz
During Novruz celebrations, it is customary to jump over a bonfire. This ritual is believed to cleanse a person’s spirit and remove negativity. In modern Baku, the city fills with young people joyfully carrying out this tradition.
“Hat on the Doorstep” at Novruz
Another joyful tradition of Novruz and Çərşənbə is “hat on the doorstep.” Children and teenagers throw hats onto their neighbors’ doorsteps, knock on the door, and hide. Neighbors then fill the hats with sweets, candies, and nuts.
Painted eggs at Novruz
It’s hard to imagine a Novruz festive table without brightly painted eggs, symbolizing a new beginning. The holiday also features a beloved game for children and adults, where participants tap eggs against each other — the one whose egg remains uncracked wins.
Nişan
To this day, every Azerbaijani wedding begins with an engagement — nişan — long before the wedding itself. It is one of the most important days in the lives of young couples, celebrated with dances, songs, and beautiful rituals.
XınaYaxdı
The henna night is a significant ceremony in every bride’s life. On this evening, friends and sisters gather to paint henna designs on each other’s palms, symbolizing happiness and protection. The night is always filled with joy, music, and dancing.
Bayramlıq
All holidays between the engagement and the wedding are marked by generous gifts from the groom’s relatives to the bride — bayramlıq. These gifts are traditionally presented on special trays called “xonça.”
Offering sweets during the small engagement
At this pre-wedding celebration, usually held after the main engagement, the bride gives sweets to her unmarried friends. The girls then place these sweets under their pillows before going to sleep, believing they will dream of their future husband.
Tea Culture
Azerbaijan’s culture is inseparable from tea served in pear-shaped glasses called armudu. A unique and popular way of drinking tea is “with sugar on the side” — instead of dissolving sugar in the cup, many Azerbaijanis dip a sugar cube into the tea, bite it, and wash it down with a sip.
Kiçik Toy
The celebration marking a boy’s coming of age is often held on a grand scale, filled with joy, dancing, and festivity.