Yalda
Yalda, also called Chella, brings families together on autumn’s final night for stories and poetry. The tradition is practiced in Iran and Afghanistan, with variations between families.
These cultural and symbolic images do not depict Dorehami members or events.
Image and licence
File:Yalda. Taha.7.13.jpg — طاها حجتی — CC BY-SA 4.0 · WebP / crop
File:Yalda Night cake vector.png — JomaIran — CC0 · WebP / crop
Meaning and cultural context
Yalda is about more than table settings: listening and spending time together matter too. UNESCO describes a living tradition in Iran and Afghanistan. One household’s practices should not be treated as universal.
Traditions and symbols
Pomegranates, watermelon, nuts and poetry readings are familiar features.
Date and calendar
The night between Azar and Dey. A Dorehami gathering date is announced only after confirmation.
A practical plan for our group
Invite each family to bring a short story; children can make picture stories and poetry readings can be optional.
Plan a relaxed evening with a welcome, an older participant’s story, optional poetry and a picture game for children. Keep food simple and optional. Children need not stay up late, and nobody should feel pressured to perform.
These are contemporary Dorehami suggestions, not confirmed events or claims of ancient practices.
For children and the next generation
On a long night, stories and friendship bring us together.
For younger children, one image and one question are enough. Teenagers can check a word or claim against a source. When explaining in another language, simplify the wording without hiding uncertainty.
Common questions
Does a Hafez reading reliably predict the future?
No. Treat it as a literary custom and a conversation starter, not a basis for important decisions.
How can I ask about participating?
Use this page’s WhatsApp link and keep the topic in your message. We get acquainted first; places and conditions are confirmed separately. Sending a message is not membership or a booking.
Sources and further reading
Content reviewed: 19 October 2026