Calendar of activities occuring in all Bahá'í communities
Bahá'í communities run activities in over 32 cities and towns in South Africa. Activities include devotionals, children and youth classes, study circles on topics such as: the life of the spirit, life after death, prayer and mediation. Anyone is welcome to attend the activities. To find out about activities in your locality call (011) 462 0100
The Bahá'í year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), with the addition of “Intercalary Days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the eighteenth and nineteenth months to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The months are named after the attributes of God. The Bahá'í New Year is astronomically fixed and begins with the March equinox (March 21). The Bahá'í Era commenced with the year of the Báb’s declaration (1844 A.D.).
Each Bahá'í community holds a Nineteen Day Feast on the first day of each Bahá'í month. The Feast has spiritual, administrative and social functions and is the primary locus of fellowship and community decision-making in each Bahá'í locality. Because the Bahá'í day lasts from sunset to sunset, the Nineteen Day Feast is generally held in the evening on the day before the first day of the Bahá'í month according to the Gregorian calendar.
Bahá'í Month of Fasting
The last month in the Bahá'í calendar, March 2-20, is dedicated to the Fast. During this time, Bahá'ís between 15 and 70 years of age do not eat or drink for 19 days from sunrise to sunset and set aside time for prayer and meditation. Exemptions from the Fast occur for illness, pregnancy, nursing mothers, extended travel and arduous physical labor.
Bahá'í Holy Days and Commemorative Days
Ayyám-i-Há or Intercalary Days (Feb. 26-March 1): Ayyám-i-Há, or “Days of Ha,” are devoted to spiritual preparation for the Fast, celebrating, hospitality, charity and gift giving. They are celebrated the four days (five in leap year) before the last month of the Bahá'í year.
Naw-Rúz (March 21): The Bahá'í New Year’s Day is astronomically fixed to begin the year on the spring equinox. Naw-Rúz is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.
Festival of Ridván (April 21-May 2): The annual Bahá'í festival commemorates the 12 days (April 21-May 2, 1863) when Bahá'u'lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá'í Faith, resided in a garden called Ridván (Paradise) in Baghdad, Iraq. At this time He publicly proclaimed His mission as God's messenger for this age. The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) days are celebrated as holy days when work is suspended.
Declaration of the Báb (May 23): The Bahá'í Faith commemorates May 23, 1844, when the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá'í Faith, announced in Shiraz, Persia, that he was the herald of a new messenger of God. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (May 29): Bahá'ís observe the anniversary of the death in exile of Bahá'u'lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá'í Faith, on May 29, 1892. It is one of the nine holy days of the year where work is suspended.
Martyrdom of the Báb (July 9): The holy day commemorates the anniversary of the execution of the Báb (Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad), the prophet-herald of the Bahá'í Faith, by a firing squad on July 9, 1850, in Tabriz, Persia. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.
Birth of the Báb (Oct. 20): The day is an observance of the anniversary of the birth on Oct. 20, 1819, in Shiraz, Persia, of Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, who later took the title of “the Báb,” meaning “the Gate.” The Báb was the prophet-herald of the Bahá'í Faith. The day is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.
Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (Nov. 12): Bahá'ís observe the anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh (born Mirza Husayn-‘Ali) on Nov. 12, 1817, in Núr, Persia. Bahá'u'lláh, which means the “Glory of God,” is the prophet-founder of the Bahá'í Faith. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.