For many superstitious people in the world "Friday, the 13th" stands for unlucky business, a break-up with a girlfriend, a car accident or a brick falling down on your head and so on. We would like to offer you a list of superstitions people of Baku believe in. Most of them originate from the beliefs of Azerbaijani, Russian, Jewish and other nations that live in Baku and whose cultures melted together to develop one, original and diverse. A cat crossing your way means ba...... more

Many traditions and customs observed by people in Azerbaijan and in particular in Baku are influenced by various cultures and religions. In this respect, the holidays celebrating the end of a calendar year. December 25 Christmas Non-official (but declared a day-off at some companies) Celebrated by expatriates in Azerbaijan and Catholics and Protestants) January 1 * (December 31) ...... more

Marriage being an important event of social life, the act of wedding in the old Azerbaijan society was enhanced with a great many ceremonies and rites. These were to prevent the future spouses from harm, diseases and venomous forces. Traditionally the wedding cycle is divided into three stages: 1. Pre-wedding period * 2. The wedding feast by itself * 3. Post-wedding period During the pre-wedding period the family of a man chose a girl, matchmade, got the consent of ...... more

Plov Ingredients (for 1 portion): Mutton 800 gr. * Melted butter 200 gr. * Rice 600 gr. * Onion 200 gr. * Prunes 160 gr. Cinnamon 0.8 gr. * Saffron 0.4 gr. * Pinks 0.2 gr. * Pepper 0.4 gr. * Salt Cut the mutton into portion pieces and fry it in butter. Add some broth, fried onions,...... more

Novruz - or Novruz Bayramy in Azeri - along with New Year and a religious Ramazan Bayramy is one of the major and the most favorite holiday of Azerbaijan. Although celebrated in Islamic countries, Novruz is not a religious holiday actually being the celebration of the vernal equinox and the symbolic renewal of nature. According to scholars, it originates from the Ancient Mesopotamia. In Babylon New Year was celebrated the 21st day of Nissanu (correspondent to March an...... more

Kurban Bayramy is one of the institutive religious holidays celebrated in Azerbaijan. It originates from the Biblical legend of the arch-father Abraham (Ibrahim in Islam), his wife Hagar and their son Isaac's (Ismail in Islam) being offered for sacrifice. The apologue of Ibrahim and Ismail, emergence of ancient Arabic sanctuaries of Mecca, rituals of peregrination to Mecca and the associated feast of sacrifice got new interpretation in the course of time and were subjected to requirements of Isl...... more