SIAMESE MODE OF DIVIDING TIME.
39
ARDIBEHEST-JASAN.-This festival, as its name implies, is maintained in honour of Ardibehest Amsbaspond, the angel controlling the sacred fire, that element being one of the wonders of divine creation. The fire-temples are crowded on this day, sandalwood is offered to the sacred flame, and prayers offered to the Supreme Deity.
THE NOWROZ.-The fifth on the list is the celebrated Nowroz, alled by some the Nowroz-í-Jamshid or the Nowroz-í-Sultan, the King's day. This celebrated festival falls generally about the 21st day of March, and corresponds with our Vernal Equinox. This day is observed by the modern Persians, the Arabs, the Turks, and several other Asiatic nations for the computation of the solar year, and for State purposes, such as the collection of revenue, and the arrangements for the agricultural operations of the year. Easteru writers date the origin of this festival from the time of Jamshid, the third King of the Peshdadian dynasty of Persin. Jamshid is supposed by Bailly to have flourished 3,209 years before Christ: the Shah Namah celebrates him as the first King of his race who introduced civilisation among mankind, and established the computation of time. If we are to believe the Persian writers, the exquisite bas-reliefs among the ruins of Persepolis-still visible in beauty after a lapse of two thousand years-are representations of the Court of Jamshid, more especially on the festival of the Nowroz. The sculptures at this place contain representations of the Courts of ancient Persia, with the long train of attendants bringing offerings to the feet of Monarchs; and as the Nowroz is a sort of "revenue settlement" day, when the chiefs of different provinces lay their annual contributions before the throne, and are allowed audience with the monarch, the idea of a part of the Persepolitan bas-reliefs being a picture of some ancient King of Persia holding his Court on the day of the Nowroz does not appear to be without foundation. In Persia this festival is kept for several days with unusual ponp by all the inhabitants, whether Mahomedans or Parsees. In India it is simply a day of rejoicin".
AVA-ARDUI SUR JASAN.—Ava, in the Zend text, is the name of the angel who presides over the sea, and this "Jasan," or festival, is held in his honour. The Parses are required on this day to approach the sea shore, or any stream of water, and chant the Zend prayers, but owing to their long residence in India they have borrowed many Hindu rites in the observance of this holiday, and offerings of sugar, cocoanuts, flowers, &c., to the sea, are not uncommon. The better-informed portion of the community, however, do not join with their brethren in these superstitious acts. In Bomba a fair is held on the Esplanade in honour of this festival.
Adar Jasan.—Adar, another synonym for fire, is the name by which the ninth month of the Parsee year is called. This is the most sacred of the twelve months, and the ninth day of that month is held in great respect and sanctity. On this day the fire temples are very much crowded, and offerings of sandalwood are made to the sacred flame, and money distributed among the priests.
Besides the above, the festivals of the Parsees are the Meher Jasan, the Bahman Jasan, and a few others of less importance, all of which are partially observed.
SIAMESE MODE OF DIVIDING TIME.
The 24 hours of each day are divided into two equal parts. The day time is called Wan; the night time K'u'n. The former uniformly begins at 6 o'clock a.m.; the latter at 6 p.m. The hours of the forenoon are numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., up to 6, or mid-day. The hours of the afternoon are designated by the same numbers. The hours of the night are counted in succession from 1 to 12. Each night is divided into four watches of three hours each, and each watch is called a Yam.
Siamese months are designed to be lunar months; but they often vary from the moon by a day or more. Each month is divided into two parts, viz: Kang K'un (waxing), and Kang-Raam (waning). The former has always 15 days; but the latter has 15 days every 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th month; and 14 days every 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th month. Hence six of their months have 36 days, and six 29 (lays=354 to 12 months, which wants about 11 days to make up a full solar year. To compensate for this, they have an intercalary month of 30 days,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.