Members of the Baha’i faith began a four-day celebration called Ayyam-i-Ha, which marks the beginning of the last month of the Baha’i year, a month of fasting. Almost
162 years old, the faith is the youngest of the world’s independent religions. It has a calendar of 19 months each with 19 days, and the new year will begin on March 21.
The days of Ayyam-i-Ha, Feb. 26 through March 1, are called intercalary days in English because they are the days left over on the Baha’i calendar — the system only
accounts for 361 days.
As a time of festivities, music, dancing, gift-giving and charity, Eugene Baha’i followers threw a large party on Feb. 26 to celebrate the beginning of Ayyam-i-Ha. More than
60 people attended the party, which was open to the public.
Ayyam-i-Ha is a family-oriented holiday with a focus on children, said Stephanie Ray, a graduate student at the University.
“There are games and face-painting, even a sleep-over for the girls,” Ray said. “It’s a family holiday about eating together and having fun.”
As well as being a time of celebration, Ayyam-i-Ha focuses on charity within the community. Party-goers this weekend brought food and clothing for local charities.
“We do everything possible to help the unfortunate,” said Don Addison, faculty adviser of the Baha’i campus student association. “We had a food and clothing drive for local homeless shelters and it doesn’t necessarily go to Baha’is. It goes to anyone in need.”
During the celebration, families often hold small gatherings. Family meals are an important part of the celebration. There are no traditional Baha’i dishes, but because Baha’i is a worldwide religion, each region often serves its own traditional dishes.
“Each Baha’i community is free to organize meals based on their own local customs and cultures,” Addison said.
At Eugene’s Ayyam-i-Ha celebration, conversations and prayers were spoken in many different languages. Baha’i encourages learning different languages so children can say prayers in Spanish, French, Navajo and many others, Ray said.
“Baha’i encourages the indigenous cultures,” she added.
While Ayyam-i-Ha is a celebratory time, there is no alcohol at any of the festivities. Baha’i forbids drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs, and promotes overall cleanliness of spirit, mind, body and community. The upcoming period of fasting is a time when cleanliness is especially important. It is also a time of self-sacrifice and self-denial for spiritual benefits, Addison said.
Baha’i followers must fast from sunrise to sunset during the last
19 days of the year, except those with medical problems.
“I miss it because I can’t do it anymore,” said Addison, who can’t fast because of medical complications. “Your body feels much better and purified and there is wonderful spiritual fulfillment.”

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