Philological sciences / 8. Native language and literature

R.Z. Gulieva, S.S. Abdinova

Ganja branch of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

ABOUT NATIONAL TRADITIONS OF GANJA

Ganja is the city, that has a rich and ancient traditions. From the point of view protecting national and moral values the city is considered as the cultural center. Historically, Ganja city has been managed by government agencies, along with the elders. Folklore materials, collected from Ganja and historical information are confirm sayings. Generation “Akhillik”, which covered in VIII-XIII centuries Iran and Central Asia , wide-spreat the and played an important role in public life of Ganja. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the city was ruled by elders, elders played a role of bridge between the people and official government agencies. The most important of customs and traditions is forgiveness. During transaction people give each other forgiveness . If the patient going to die also people give him forgiveness and receive from him forgiveness. So they say: "without forgiveness will not be blessed."

Neighborly relations are kept and preserved strictly in Ganja. People don’t buy a house, before they interesting in neighbor’s character. They say : "Don’t buy house, buy neighbor"; " the nearest neighbor todistant relation ."

In Ganja relationship ties are very strong. It is the tradition of Ganja people to often visit relatives, and to share their sadness and happiness . "If also relative will eat each other’s meat , they won’t disposing each other’s bone ," - they said.

In Ganja people mostly pay attention to real-generation, family.If someone wants to marridge his son or daughter , he interests with generation and family of the opposite side. Sometimes, when families can’t pliable with each other , they say: "Our bone connected with their bone ." When they speak about bone, they mean father’s line, about milk they mean mother’s line . In this way Ganja people were able to kept and preserved pureness of generation.

Ganja people are very strong in frienship. Also they can die for friend .Friend will pay all the needs of friend, will be his back-support.The equality in friendship is very important : " Show me your friend , and I will say you who you are.

Ganja is famous for its hospitality. Most traditions of metting guest are followed today . For guest in Ganja, as a rule,separated a special room - sitting room. This room is decorated with expensive carpets , put delicate dishes, silk bedding for the guest.For breakfast of guest put cream with honey .For dinner and supper are prepared delicious foods. Among them a plov seasoning with meat and lamb meat kebab are take a special place .

Ganja people put all kinds of table-blessing for guest . In addition they tell to guest kind words, and take to interesting places, worth visiting and pilgrimages.They never ask , when the guest will return . This act shall be considered as disrespect. " The guest is God’s guest ", - say Ganja people and meet the guest with honor, various gifts and send with respect.One of the more preserved customs and traditions of Ganja , that has deep historical roots, is the tradition of the wedding. Wedding , that full of rites and ceremonies is a whole holiday of elin. In this case, the close people, relatives and kin are more active. The wedding took place in girl for so long everyone is happy. In the past there were various games, competitions and races in Ganja weddings . Now, some of these wedding’s traditions arev forgotten. Ganja didn’t have girl’s wedding . Instead of it, there was "Parchakesdi"(“piece cutting”) ceremony. "Parchakesdi" was replaced girl’s wedding .And now the tradition of cutting the girl's wedding piece is also preserved . Such traditions as “khınayakhdı”, “uchashi”, “evgordu” are live on nowadays.

As all the parts of the world , a mournful funeral ceremoniesin Ganja hold very sadly .Relatives of dead man put on black clothes , don’t go to parties for a while, and don’t listen to music .The first day of man’s dead, third day , seventh day , 40th day and “adna”days ( Thursdays ) funeral ceremonie is continue .

Ganja’s funeral ceremonies can’t be without rose water. Good smell of rose water eliminate man’s pain. When people live funeral ceremony, they give condolences to the owner of mourning .

Khidir Nabi and Novruz holiday in Ganja are celebrated ceremonial .In holiday of Khidir Nabi people roast wheat,and set Khidir’s table. Then the flour of roasted wheat people put to secret room . Khidir Nabi comes at night ,and put on finger to flour of roasted wheat . In house , which Khidir entered , there will be abundance .

Ganja people is going to celebrateNovruz holiday within a month. They keep in order house a, different kind of sweets are prepared. Among them Ganja’s pakhlava take more attention. Pakhlava, which consists of nine layers decorates tables . Eggs are colored, “nazik” (sweet bread) are cooked. Bearing a grudge are reconciled,people visit sick, lonely relatives. People skipped over the bonefire, goes to ear fortune telling , look fortunes in the water, visit and take holiday gifts branded girls, sick, elderly people.

In whole Ganja’s traditions are leading to spiritual pureness , they are collection of the universe laws to perfection, way of nation.

References:

1. N.Tusi. “Əxlaqi-Nasiri”. Bakı “Elm” 1989. səh. 162-167.

2. Mərasimlər, adətlər, alqışlar. Gənclik – 1993. səh.92.

3. Gəncə folkloru antologiyası. I kitab. Gəncə - 2003.

4. Gəncə folkloru antologiyası. II kitab. Gəncə - 2008.