You may have heard of the Nineveh fast (Rogation of the Ninevites) but there's one Assyrian tradition you probably have not heard of unless you're Assyrian or Chaldean. Consuming Pookhin on the last night of the fast to find your true love, and then breaking the fast with Mann al Sama!
Before we address Mann al Sama and Pookhin, we must revisit the story of the Prophet Jonah and the Ninevites which explains the reason behind the Nineveh fast.
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🐋 The Book of Jonah
The Old Testament Book of Jonah tells the story of the Prophet Jonah, who was instructed by the Lord to preach to the Ninevites (the Assyrian people of Nineveh) so that they could repent and turn from their wicked ways.
Jonah did not obey the Lord. Instead, he got on a boat headed to Tarshish, which was in the opposite direction. As a result, Jonah found himself in the belly of a large fish for three days. After praying to the Lord, he was spat out onto the sandy shore. Jonah had a change of heart and headed to Nineveh where he warned the people of God's coming wrath.
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:6-10)
🙏 Rogation of the Ninevites
After a devastating plague in the 7th century in the Sasanian Empire in the Assyrian region of Nineveh (modern-day Mosul), the people were asked by the Bishop Marutha of Tikrit, the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the East, who was eventually sainted, to fast and pray in the same tradition as their ancestors had done in the time of Jonah. The people's prayers were answered, and the plague ended.
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Since that time, Assyrians worldwide have participated in a fast referred to as "Bauta D Ninwayeh" ܒܥܘܬܐ ܕܢܝܢܘܝ̈ܐ or "Rogation of the Ninevites," which translates to "Petition of the Ninevites." The fast takes place 3 weeks before Lent begins.
Assyrians worldwide abstain from eating meat and dairy products, with some fasting from all food and drink during the 3-day fast. The number of days symbolizes the 3 days Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. Prayer and church services accompany this time of fasting.
Today, 13 churches observe this fast including the Assyrian Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Syriac Orthodox Church, and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
🫘 Pookhin
I find it interesting that this time of repentance and prayer is followed by a superstitious tradition of consuming pookhin (pokhen) in order to find your future husband. I imagine this tradition was started by Assyrian moms eager to find husbands for their daughters. I can relate, haha!
Pookhin is prepared with an equal amount of the following ingredients:
- barley
- sunflower seeds
- peanuts
- corn
- white beans
- lentils
- wheat
However, this mixture can vary based on the grains, nuts, and seeds you have on hand (pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chickpeas, almonds, etc.) The most important ingredient, however, is salt, which is added once the ingredients are roasted and ground to make a salty sand-like powder.
Single Assyrian women are encouraged to consume this thirst-inducing concoction on the last night of the 3-day fast. This is done by dipping their thumb into the powder and placing it under their tongue. Once pookhin is consumed, they are encouraged to go straight to bed.
It's hoped that going to bed extremely thirsty will make you dream of a handsome man who will offer you a glass of water to quench your thirst. But not just any man, this man will be your future husband!
🥜 Pookhin Recipe
If you'd like to make pookhin, start with 2 tablespoons of each grain, nut, or seed that you have on hand and then roast them in a hot pan. Grind the mixture into a fine powder by using a spice grinder, food processor, or a mortar and pestle. Mix enough salt to make the mixture unpleasantly salty before consuming.
🍬 What Breaks the Fast?
Mann al Sama is the Middle East's version of nougat. This sweet treat is loaded with nuts and flavored with cardamom. It is often consumed to break the fast. Why this tradition began, I can't say. However, I do remember, as a child, looking forward to this mysterious treat that only appeared once a year.
A large tray, loaded with mann al sama would be passed around. As it made its way around the crowd, everyone would take and eat a piece, breaking their fast. It's one of my favorite childhood memories! The most common way of breaking the fast, however, is going to church to receive communion.
🍽 Related Articles
I hope you enjoyed this article on the Rogation of the Ninevites and the related tradition of consuming pookhin. Here are some other articles you might find interesting!
Kathy Fisher says
I love reading the history of the Assyrian people and their relationship with God. We all need to read the book of Jonah - what a great story. And I love your family history and memories of this when you were a child. Sweet memories. I love See's candy nougat. Did your mom make nougat?
Hilda Sterner says
I love reading your family history and memories too! My mom did not make nougat, but I do!