Armenian Culture

Armenia, a country in Western Asia situated in the highlands which surround the Biblical mountains of Ararat, is one of the oldest countries in the world. It is located in the Southern Caucasus between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and shares its borders with countries such as Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

It was the first country in the world to officially adopt Christianity and is home to many of the world’s oldest churches and monasteries — Etchmiadzin Cathedral (the first church built in the world), Noravank Monastery, Geghard Monastery, Tatev Monastery, etc. 97% of the inhabitants follow Christianity and belong to the Apostolic Church,

The landlocked mountainous country has a population of about 3 million people consisting mostly of Armenians — a particular branch of the Indo-Europeans, the rest of the remaining population consists of Ukrainians, Assyrians, Kurds, Russians, and others. Ethnically speaking, the population of this ancient country is homogenous.

Armenians belong to the Armenoid and Caucasian race types. They are usually known to have light skin, dark hair, and brown or hazel eyes although Armenians with lighter hair colors — blonde, light brown or red hair, and green or blue eyes can also be spotted. Armenians are often described as kind, friendly people with a hospitable attitude who respect elders and have great family values.

The only official language of this country is Armenian, whose unique alphabet was created in 405 AD. Other common foreign languages spoken here are Russian, English, Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Persian.

Coming to the culture of Armenia, what are some of the customs the Armenians follow?

Locals can be found kissing on the cheek, which was one of the most common greetings among close ones. Holding hands is not too uncommon either. It shows a strong affection or bond among friends. The newborns are only introduced to close family for the first 40 days although close relatives might be an exception. This is followed as the newborns are usually vulnerable and are at the risk of picking up bacteria. Another odd custom here is that the girls of this country eat a very salty cookie, made by a secret recipe on St. Sarkis Day — the Armenian equivalent of Valentine’s Day — and later dream of their future husbands, they know it’s him if the latter gives them a cup of water in their dream.

A wide variety of festivals is celebrated in the country, one of the most popular ones being the ‘Dolma Festival.’ Dolma is a very famous dish in Armenia made of minced meat with rice, herbs, and spices wrapped in fresh grape or cabbage leaves. Seasonings such as coriander, mint, cinnamon, and pepper might also be added. The festival takes place on the 20th of May at the Hnaberd village and allows the visitors to try out the different kinds of Dolma.

The Vardavar Festival celebrated in July takes place all over Armenia. During the day, people are allowed to drench strangers with water, and people pouring buckets full of water from their balconies on strangers is not an uncommon scene. The festival is dedicated to the goddess of water, love, and beauty, Astghik. According to the legends, Astghik spreads love to the Armenian lands by sprinkling rose water. The word ‘vardavar’ in Armenian means ‘to sprinkle with water’ and ‘the flaming of rose.’

Ever plan on visiting Armenia? You NEED to try these Armenian foods. First on the list is Khorovats — Armenian barbeque. The meat might be marinated before grilling and it could be beef, lamb, or pork. There is very little to no seasoning as it is the Armenian belief that seasoning detracts from the natural flavors of the meat. The food is served during “special occasions.” Next, we have Khash, a mouthwatering soup made of sheep or cow’s feet, vinegar, garlic, and lemon juice. Khash is served at an annual party. Gata, which is an Armenian pastry or dessert, deserves a mention. Different varieties of Gata can be found in the whole of Armenia and it is a ‘bread-like cake.’

Along with having magnificent highlands, mountains, and other landscapes, Armenia also has a fascinating culture and history.

References

The 9 Best Festivals in Armenia - Yerevan. (2018, June 26). Culture Trip. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/europe/armenia/articles/the-9-best-festivals-in-armenia/

Armenian People: Characteristics of the Armenian Ethnicity. (2018, December 2). Wild Armenia. Retrieved from https://wildarmenia.com/blog/armenian-people/

Armenian (people) | Description, Culture, History, & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Armenian-people

Characteristics of the Armenian Ethnicity - Armenian People. (n.d.). Enterprise Rent-A-Car Armenia. Retrieved from https://www.enterprise.am/armenian-ethnicity-and-people

Interesting facts: What you should know about Armenia. (n.d.). Enterprise Rent-A-Car Armenia. Retrieved from https://www.enterprise.am/interesting-facts-what-you-should-know-about-armenia

12 Interesting Facts About Armenia That You Might Not Know. (n.d.). Sunrise Odyssey. Retrieved from https://sunriseodyssey.com/12-interesting-facts-about-armenia-that-you-might-not-know

Vardavar in ArmeniaVardavar in Armenia. (2021, July 30). Armenia Holidays. Retrieved from https://armeniaholidays.com/vardavar-in-armenia/