ARMENIAN LANGUAGE	TRADITIONS		THE FUNERAL
THE WEDDING		ARMENIAN COUSINE

Ancient Armenia	ETHNOGRAPHY ARMENIAN LANGUAGE Armenian language is one of the most ancient languages which is used for already 4500 years. Armenian language is an Indo-European language and it is its own independent branch of the family. In the world Armenian is spoken by 10 million people, among whom 3.2 million in Armenia. Generally there is an opinion among linguists that by its luxury Armenian is the second after French. Armenian has 120 thousand radicals, which helps to translate wonderfully any language into Armenian. We should take into consideration the fact that The Holy Bible was translated into Armenian in the V century and it is considered to be the “queen of the translations” till now. The Armenian Bible is the origin for those who study Christianity. Armenian is one of the rarest languages which have 39 letters. Mesrop Mashtots created Armenian letters in 405 AD. He is sanctified by church. He is buried in Oshakan village, in a wonderful mausoleum 20km far from Yerevan. During its development Armenian language has passed 3 stages: ancient Armenian (the end of 3^rd millennium – V century BC), Grabar (5th – 17th century), which in turn separates into parts and the modern language. During its development Armenian hasn’t gone through fundamental changes, on the contrary it has become richer with new radicals as a result of economical, political and geographical progress, activation of trade and communication with neighbor nations. There are many words in Armenian which are taken from Persian, Semitic and Indo – Aryan.	7 wonders of Armenia
Early Middle-Ages		Ethnography
Developed Middle-Ages		Stone symphony
Tours News Contacts		Natural wonders

Till now Armenian language is a powerful linguistic incentive in literature, poetry, it’s also a musical language by its specific timbre and musical quality. It’s not in vain that in Armenia from time immemorial till now the art of national singers is rapidly growing. One of the most ancient anthems devoted to power is “The Birth of Vahag”, which is already 5000 years old, is written in Armenian.

With special pride we can mention that since 5th century till nowadays with special devotion Armenian chroniclers are translating into Armenian the works of famous philosophers, mathematicians and theologians. Many people have got to know the world by means of Armenian translations, among who are Porpyur, Hovhan Voskebran, Kyuregh of Alexandria, Aristotle and others.

Nor the Christian world neither any other religion but the Armenian Apostolic Church have the “Targmanchats Feast”. Everyone knows that the translation is the monopoly of power and the nation thirsty for knowledge, and the Armenians have turned it into a sacred church solemnity.

TRADITIONS

In general characteristic Armenians are proud, independent honorable, warm-blooded, high intellect, true to traditions. In look they are middle-sized, belong to European race, pretty-faced, with black hair, brown-eyed, women are beautiful.

Armenians belong to the “armenoid” type, the only type peculiar to them among all the anthropological types: globular and flat in the back skull.

Armenians are Christians. In 301 Christianity was first adopted as national religion.

The national chronology starts from 2482 B. C. since the day of Hayk’s and Bell’s battle. Armenians have their annals, the large and the little. The large one starts from abovementioned and the little one from 552 A. C..

Every month had its name, the year was divided into 13 months, each month – 30 days, the last the 13^th month had 5 days. The day was divided into 24 hours 12 night and 12 daytime.

ARMENIAN COUSINE

KHASH

Cow Feet Soup for Breakfast: Armenia's winter-time tradition of khash If you come to Armenia in summer season you may be offered to taste the best Armenian fruits such as grapes, peaches and apricots.

But if you appear in Armenia in winter times most likely you will be invited to go for khash-a masterpiece of Armenian cuisine made by cows' feet, stomach and Armenian ingenuity. Khash is a unique experience for any foreign visitor, and whether they like it or not (and many don't), almost all enjoy the ritual of a khash party. Kash season starts from November 16 and lasts till march 20.

Khash is a gastronomic ceremony, a combination of ritual and lively heart-to-heart talks in the flavor of garlic and radish. There are seven special “khash” toasts.

To prepare totikner (this is how Armenians call cows feet) for cooking it should be stripped of hairs and clean until it turns opaque.

Then, the cow feet are boiled all night until the ingredients give its juice and piquancy to water and the flesh flakes off the bones.

Usually Armenians go for khash in the morning on weekends, because after a khash party, participants are happy, but also heavy with sleep. And, typically, not smelling so sociably acceptable. It may not be the cow feet that make a person sleepy; rather the vodka, which, real khash professionals assures is good for digestion.

Besides vodka, a proper khash must have six components: mineral water, greens, radishes, yellow chili peppers, lavash and garlic. Minced garlic and salt - lots of both -- is put into khash right before the eating. Dry lavash is soaked in the soup until it becomes like a sponge. Hardcore khash eaters use only their fingers for consuming the odd meal, and they recommend that participants abstain from eating, early on the previous evening.

DOLMA

Dolma with leaves of grape. They gather leaves of grape-vine and wrap them up and keep them till autumn. Dolma has been famous since Urartyan times. The meat of dolma is well grinded meat of wild boar which is mixed with rice and spices. Dolma is served with yoghurt with garlic in it and of course with Armenian wine.

HARISA

Harisa is national dish, but in different districts it is made in different ways. It is made of wheat. First they boil the wheat and the chicken very long until it dissolves in water. Harisa is served in clay plates ant with melted butter.

Other national dishes

Tanapur (soup) – with wheat and yoghurt

“Dry tan” – boiled wheat with strained yoghurt

Summer or Echmiatsin dolma – tomato, pepper, egg-plant with grinded meat in them

“Kjufta” – beaten meat of cow, with egg

“Head of sheep” (kjala) – head of sheep with special spices cooked in stove

THE FUNERAL

Armenians bury their defunct in ground. The funeral rite has been conserved from immemorial times and has passed from generation to generation. In ancient times the defunct were buried in sarcophagus-mausoleum from tuff and after adopting Christianity in wooden coffin.

The ancient funerals were rich, insuring with all necessities in other life. This tradition is conserved till today.

Armenians keep the corpse of defunct 3 days then bury with opulence. Even the poorest put with defunct all his favourite clothes and adorning. It means that his soul won’t have anything to bind him to this world and he won’t suffer from needy. The goes nobby funeral repast, the according to Apostolic Church the funeral’s second day memorial, 7^th day, 40^th day, Easter, Khachverats on September 13^th and December 31^st. The ancestry’s name, memory is sanctified for Armenians.

THE WEDDING

The marriage for Armenians is special and mysterious. Armenians look for their life partners very attentively and particularly. It is important the husband (the wife) to be physically and psychologically flawless, the most important is intellect. The chosen must be intelligent and educated.

In ancient times the wedding lasted 7 days, but now it lasts 3 days.

On the first day that is called “msatsu” (fleshy) they butcher an ox or a pig and a ram risen for the wedding. This ceremony goes by music.

The second day – the real wedding, when the bride-groom with “parade” goes to bring the bride. The feasat begins early in the morning and lasts till late night. In the morning the groom puts on the wedding costume and his sister or other girl from his relatives binds the groom’s red belt from his right shoulder. The same is done with the bride, but the belt is green and it is bound from left shoulder. The news spread the “fox” from groom’s house to the bride’s house and vice verse. Then on the couch and now on the car they put stuffed fox.

The third day is called “khash” traditional Armenian dish.

The presents go to the newly-weds with special ceremony. The chosen announce name and the latest bring the present (usually golden adorning) dancing. Then the dowry is brought.

These ceremonies are 5000 years old and they complete the strength of Armenian family.