Hechhuam

The day of creation is the day of creation.It is officially listed as Azhyrnihua - the Day of Creation, renewal. This day in Abkhazia is festive and non-working.

Hechhuama (translated from Abkhazian - Old New Year) - Pagan holiday. Traditionally, cocks and goats are slaughtered on this day.

This ritual is associated with the sacrifice of Shashva - one of the most revered deities of Abkhazia - the patron saint of blacksmiths. The festival of Shashva sacrifice for modern Abkhazians gradually acquired the status of a “real” New Year, although the New Year is celebrated with pleasure from December 31 to January 1.

Hechhuama gathers under the roof of the family sanctuary - the forge of all relatives on the paternal line. Representatives of foreign births – wives and daughters-in-law stay at home. A ritually clean clad goat or an uncoated white goat is sacrificed, as well as one rooster, according to the number of participants in the ritual.