Ethnic Minorities in Armenia

Armenia is known to be a mono-ethnic country, but there are a lot of ethnic minorities living in Armenia such as Yazidis, Greeks, Jews, Assyrians, Russians and etc. They have different languages, mentality and what is more important different religion, but despite that they have been living side by side for years. So here is a little overview about the ethnic minorities living in Armenia and their unique customs. 

Yazidis

Armenia was the first country that let Yazidis to have their sanctuary here in 2013. It is forbidden to enter the sanctuary with shoes. And also a man without a beard can’t enter and say a prayer in the sanctuary as  it’s considered to be a sin. 

The Yazidis are monotheists, believing in one God, who created the world.

Azhdahak / Geghama Mountains

azidis have one interesting tradition which is called “bsk”: “bsk” is a ceremony of cutting the child’s hair for the first time by their Shaykh. The parents have no right to cut their child’s hair for the first time it can only do the Shaykh. He prays while cutting the hair and blesses the child. Yazidis still keep this tradition and there are many Yazidis who do this ceremony in their homes nowadays. 

Yazidis also have customs that forbid them to eat pork, to have a bath and shave on Wednesdays and to use the blue color. 

Molokans

Molokans are Russians who have different religious views. They are Christians who don’t accept the cross, the worship of icons and luxurious rituals. 

There are many myths about the origin of their name. One of them says that the name originated from the Russian word moloko (milk) as they used to drink milk during the lent. But the Molokans say that their name comes from the spiritual milk (dukhovnoye moloko) mentioned in the Holy Bible.

In many sources it is written that according to the tradition of Molokans married men should wear a beard. But the truth is that you can meet a lot of single Molokans wearing a beard, an it doesn’t mean that they should be married. Actually wearing a beard is mostly connected with some spiritual level. When you meet a Molokan man with a beard you will know that he has reached that spiritual level, where his outer and inner self are in harmony. 

Molokans marry only with Molokan women. Divorces are also forbidden. The head of the family is the eldest woman. Molokans are closed and cautious community and they consider it to be an important factor of keeping their identity. 

 Assyrians

Assyrians are one of the ancient civilizations of the world. Every nation has its culture and traditions and in order not to lose their identity some of them don’t intermarry with other nations. But Assyrians don’t have any national obstacles in love and marriages. Thay have a big  wedding ceremonies during which they sing both Armenian and Assyrian songs.

Armenian Traditional Dress

Their national dish is martuxa which is made from egg, flour, milk and butter. Assyrians bake it for the most important day – The Chapel day. They share their martuxa with their neighbours and believe that it has a powerful qualities. When a pregnant woman eats martuxa then touches her body, later her baby would have a sign in the same place she touched.

Jews

Jews have been living in Armenia since ancient times, but they became a community only in 1991. According to Jews, the real Jew must love books, must be wealthy and often visit a doctor. Jews love to visit a doctor, as they always think that they are ill. 

You can recognize the Jew’s house just from the entrance. Every Jew has a mezuza attached  on the right or left corner of their doors. They say that this tradition comes from Egypt, when God ordered all the Jews to mark their doors with red crosses.

Jews also have their sacred bread called matsa, which they eat during Easter. The word matsa means without wetness. With its appearance and taste it reminds nshkhar, however it is made only from flour and water. 

Jews usually celebrate their new year in September or October, which lasts 2 days  according to Jewish calendar. They usually put an apple with honey in their new year tables, in order to sweeten the year.

In the village Yeghegis one of the most ancient Jewish cemeteries outside the territory of Israel was found.

Armenian Customs

Each of the ethnic minorities mentioned above has its unique and beautiful shades which give new colors to Armenian culture. Year by year Armenians have accepted the ethnic minorities and the latter get used to Armenian customs without losing their national identity at the same time.

The ethnic minorities also can be an important motive for the development of ethnic tourism in Armenia.

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