Here in historical videos, you can see how Yhyakh (Ысыах in Russian), the Yakut national holiday, was celebrated in the 1960s. For the long period, the Soviets prohibited the Yakuts to hold its traditional summer event, but eventually, since 1941, allowed.

Yhyakh is the celebration of the summer solstice. Dedicated to the spirits of Ajyy and nature revival. Followed with the rising sun worship ceremonies, abundant food, kumis (also spelled kumiss, koumiss or kumys; it’s the horse milk) drinking, national sports games, horse races.

Further, please, find the second historical video.

The national holiday signifies the end of the past year called D’yl and the beginning of the new year called Syl. That was the reason, why many consider Yhyakh as the Yakut New Year celebration.

«Yhyakh» might be literally translated as «abundance.» The Yhyakh holiday is tightly related to the Sun divinity and the god of fertility.

We usually celebrate it on the day of the summer solstice, i.e. June 22nd, but each village, settlement and city sets its own dates in the course of June.

Traditionally, Yakutsk Yhyakh is held at the last weekend of June. It is a big event in the area of Ys Khatyn, a few km north from the city.

All Yhyakh-related posts come under the tag Ysyakh.

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