Ayyam-i-Ha!
A few nights ago I went carolling with my children and a few friends in the neighborhood for the festival of Ayyam-i-Ha. For Baha’is this is a time of bringing cheer to others, visiting the poor and needy, giving gifts and enjoying the company of family and friends. We surprised some of our neighbors by singing several joyful songs in English and Chinese. We were quite the little band of merry songsters – my son on his African drum, my daughter with her maracas, me on the guitar and a small group of little singers with a few of their parents!
We dropped by five families and I was touched by a comment from one of the ladies we visited. She exclaimed that this had been the best Ayyam-i-Ha gift she had ever received! That made it all worthwhile. 🙂
I also created a simple song for Ayyam-i-Ha to teach some friends who came over to our home to celebrate. It is a simple tune on the guitar and has a three-part harmony. It was such fun teaching everyone his or her part and trying to sing in the same rhythm. We had a good laugh….
Thought of the Day:
“It behoveth the people of Baha, 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.” – Baha’u’llah
11 Comments
Fantastic idea!!! 🙂 Any chance we could hear your new Ayyam-i-Ha song somewhere?
Hugs hugs! 🙂
Hi Sam, I would be glad to teach you the song when you are in Beijing for your wedding! 🙂
Sounds like such a wonderful Ayyam-i-ha!! 😀
I hope to be able to hear the song sometime too!
Hi Elika,
I just add your blog to my blogroll so that I can visit often. Please feel free to add mine to yours so we are more connected!
Love,
Helen
Thanks Shirin and Helen. Lovely to hear from you both.
I sure would love to hear the Ayyam-i-Ha song as well! Or – is it written down and you could e-mail it???? (I know, such a nag!)
Love,
Susan
Hi Susan, I love your perseverance! I have the chords for the song but I don’t think that would help you with the melody. Here are the chords anyway – it is very simple – Dm, Am, Em and it just keeps going on and on in a round.
Hello Elika…what a wonderful surprise to discover you and your beautiful music.
I will also be doing music in Beijing this summer so I hope we can meet. I also
see we have mutual friends…….take care and much success with you projects &
cds.
phil morrison
http://www.myspace.com/worldunityjazzensemble
http://philtrio.blogspot.com
http://www.philmorrisontrio.com
I Absolutely loved your passages at this critical times. Thank you for sharing them, and for your generosity of sharing your prayer for the departed. Thanks love elly
Lovely to meet you Phil. I so looking forward to enjoying your shows in Beijing this summer!
can’t wait to see you soon… just over 4 months to go!