Baha’is around the world this weekend will celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha, a five-day celebration that precedes a 19-day fasting period.
Ayyam-i-Ha is a festival of hospitality, charity and service to the community. The festival is called “Intercalary Days” in English because the festival usually falls on the five days left over from the rest of the Baha’i year. The Baha’i calendar is made up of 19 months with 19 days each.
The period of fasting that follows the celebration involves praying and abstaining from eating or drinking during sunlight hours for the last Baha’i month, which is 19 days long.
Ayyam-i-Ha focuses on helping people who are less fortunate materially and people who aren’t Baha’i. People are encouraged to bring canned food donations or blankets and coats for Lane ShelterCare.
Eugene’s Baha’i population will celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha with a party that is open to the public on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chase Village clubhouse. There will be carnival games, square-dancing, cooking, decorating and refreshments.

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