Bahá'ís celebrate the ‘Intercalary Days’ |27 February 2020

The Bahá'ís of Praslin in an exchange of gifts activity

Ayyám-i-Há or the Intercalary Days is a multiple-day Bahá’í festival that is joyously celebrated in countries and territories all over the world.

It typically falls around the end of February and beginning of March (with the recent worldwide implementation of the Bahá’í or Badi calendar the exact dates of Ayyám-i-Há shift and move within the Gregorian calendar). This year Ayyám-i-Há falls between February 26-29.

Ayyám-i-Há is a period dedicated to socialising, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and needy, and preparing for the upcoming month of fasting. Depending on the year, Ayyám-i-Há will vary in its duration and it is composed of the excess of days that fall outside of the 19 months of 19 days. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baháʼu'lláh writes: “Let the days in excess of the months be placed before the month of fasting. We have ordained that these, amid all nights and days, shall be the manifestations of the letter Ha, and thus they have not been bounded by the limits of the year and its months. It behooveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name; and when they end – these days of giving that precede the season of restraint – let them enter upon the Fast.”

Ayyám-i-Há is a festival of the attributes of generosity, love, compassion, of praising God and friendship. It stands in contrast to the Fast, a time of abstinence and inner contemplation and transformation.

Baháʼu'lláh has reduced rituals and ceremonies to a minimum in the Bahá’í Faith; so everyone celebrates Ayyám-i-Há differently. Many communities and families share meals together and some exchange gifts.

In Seychelles, the Bahá’í communities organise activities for children, visits to hospices, cleaning activities and gift giving activities. This is usually done by friends and family coming together to do service-oriented activities. Similarly, Bahá’ís around the world celebrate Ayyám-i-Há with prayers and special activities, which are a prelude and preparation for the annual fasting period, March 1-19.

Vidya Gappy