Is the tradition of ‘Agra Hadig’ Armenian, or one that
Armenians have adopted?
That’s the question I’m trying to answer for Dan
Stepanian-Bennett.
Stepanian-Bennett.
Dan came across my April post about Agra Hadig and wishes to
try out this tradition on his two nephews in September.
try out this tradition on his two nephews in September.
When Dan asked his mother about this idea, he was
surprised when she dismissed this custom as not actually being Armenian.
In my April
story I included a passage from the Library of Congress which explains this topic, but I honestly cannot
swear on a stack of Bibles as to whether the tradition of Agra Hadig is 100% Armenian.
surprised when she dismissed this custom as not actually being Armenian.
In my April
story I included a passage from the Library of Congress which explains this topic, but I honestly cannot
swear on a stack of Bibles as to whether the tradition of Agra Hadig is 100% Armenian.
Dan feels that many of the families who participate in
this traditional activity are those who’ve lived in Middle Eastern countries such
as Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, etc.
this traditional activity are those who’ve lived in Middle Eastern countries such
as Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, etc.
So, I’m reaching out to my Armenian Kitchen audience…
If anyone can shed some light on the country of origin of
Agra Hadig, we’d love to hear from you either in a comment, or email: robyn@thearmeniankitchen.com.
Agra Hadig, we’d love to hear from you either in a comment, or email: robyn@thearmeniankitchen.com.
Thanks very much!
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Hi Robyn jan. Agra Hadig IS an Armenian tradition. I can find some old books, to prove it, if you think that is necessary. the traditions always transfer from one country to the neighbours. the wheat is the seed of life for the old Armenians, as the rice for the chineze & the corn for the mexicans.
Thank you so much for the information! I'll make sure Dan is aware of your update.
More confirmation in this 2017 article in the New York Times titled "In Armenia, ‘What Do You Want to Be?’ Is Asked in Infancy". It references the views of Yulia Antonyan, cultural anthropologist and professor in the department of cultural studies at Yerevan State University. Here's the URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/world/europe/armenia-atam-hatik-agra-hadig.html
Thank you so much for sharing this article, Noric!