Nevruz traditions among the Kurds

One of the earliest references to Nevruz is in the 11th century Divanü Lügati't-Türk, and one of the earliest legends points to its Kurdish origins All sorts of flowers open in spring
The bed of silk cloth has been spread out
Paradise's place has been spied, its sides warm
Cold won't come now.
-    Dîvanü Lügati't-Türk (11th century)

Celebrating the start of Nevruz, the New Year, March 21, when night and day are approximately the same length of time, is a custom among the Turks that goes back centuries. And not just among the Turks - this was a festival that can be found back as far as historical records in the Middle East go. Scholars believe it originated as part of the Zoroastrian religion that developed in the Iranian area 3,500 years ago, and has persisted ever since.

But is this a festival that originated in Iran and spread elsewhere, or did it appear in several places at once? One of the oldest legends of Nevruz is to be found among the Kurds and is the story of Kawa, a blacksmith, and Dehak, an evil king. The latter's kingdom had been cursed - and Dehak with it. Due to the fact that the sun did not shine, crops could not grow, and the people were starving. Dehak had two snakes coming out of his shoulders and they had to be fed often, so the villagers were ordered to sacrifice two children every day and provide their brains as food for the snakes.

Kawa sacrificed 16 of his 17 children and only his last daughter remained before he decided that he could play a trick on Dehak. He took the brain of a sheep and fed it to the snakes, who ate it without any problem. From then on, the villagers sent their children into the mountains with Kawa to a remote valley called Ergenekon that was difficult to find....