Kha b-Nisan

Kha b-Nisan, also known as Akitu, is the ancient Mesopotamian New Year festival celebrated by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Held around April 1st, it marks the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. The festival included rituals to honor the gods, especially Marduk, and involved prayers, processions, and celebrations symbolizing rebirth, fertility, and agricultural prosperity. It was a crucial cultural event that reinforced social and religious bonds, celebrating the cycle of seasons and the divine order that sustains life. Today, some Assyrian communities continue to observe Kha b-Nisan as a cultural and religious tradition.