Junior Rasmussen
Lavash is a traditional Armenian flatbread that is integral to the culture and cuisine of the country. It is a thin, soft, unleavened bread that is baked in a tandoor or on a sajj. The process of making lavash is a ritual in itself, and the bread is often present at important ceremonies and rites, including Armenian weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread type | Thin, flat, soft, unleavened |
| Ingredients | Flour, water, yeast, sugar, salt, toasted sesame seeds and/or poppy seeds |
| Baking method | Baked in a tandoor (tonir or tanoor) or on a sajj |
| Ritual role in weddings | Placed on the shoulders of newlyweds to bring fertility, prosperity, and good luck, and to keep away evil spirits |
| Who places it on the newlyweds' shoulders | Mother-in-law, groom's mother, or mother of the groom |
| Served with | Honey |
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What You'll Learn
- Lavash is a traditional Armenian flatbread
- It is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to bring fertility and prosperity
- The mother-in-law places the bread on the couple to protect them from evil spirits
- The bread is served with honey, symbolising happiness and sweetness
- Lavash is prepared by a group of women, requiring skill and coordination
Lavash is a traditional Armenian flatbread
The preparation of lavash is a cherished ritual in Armenian culture, usually undertaken by a group of women. Each woman plays a specific role in the process, fostering a sense of community and the passing down of traditions. The dough is made from flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt, and is rolled out flat before being slapped against the hot walls of the oven. The baked bread is pulled out after about thirty seconds to a minute.
Lavash can be served in various ways, commonly rolled around local cheeses, greens, or meats. It can also be used to make sandwiches, wraps, or as a scoop for soups and other dishes. Armenians often bake large quantities of lavash in autumn, drying and stacking it for use during the winter months. To rehydrate the bread, it is sprinkled with water and wrapped in a towel for 20 to 30 minutes to restore its softness and flavour.
The bread holds symbolic significance in Armenian culture. It is believed that breaking the bread by hand preserves its symbolic prosperity, while dropping it is considered a sin that can attract evil spirits. Elders show respect to the bread by touching it to their foreheads before eating. Lavash also plays a ritual role in weddings, where it is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to bring fertility, prosperity, and good luck, and to ward off evil spirits.
In 2014, UNESCO recognised "Lavash, the preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia" as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This acknowledgement underscores the importance of lavash in Armenian culture and its ancient origins, which have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years.
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It is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to bring fertility and prosperity
Lavash is a traditional Armenian thin bread that is integral to Armenian cuisine. It is made with flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt, and is baked in a tandoor (tonir or tanoor) or on a sajj. The process of making lavash is a ritual that is usually undertaken by a group of women, requiring great effort, coordination, experience, and skill.
Lavash is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds during Armenian weddings to bring fertility and prosperity. This ritual is performed by the mother-in-law, who says, "Let you come to the house of wealth, let your foot be lucky". The bread is believed to protect the couple from evil spirits and bring good luck. This tradition has been preserved and is still practised in modern Armenian weddings.
The bread holds symbolic significance in Armenian culture, and it is believed that breaking it by hand preserves its prosperity, while cutting it with a knife can bring misfortune. Elders show respect to the bread by touching it to their foreheads before eating, and dropping bread is considered a sin as it is believed to attract evil spirits.
Lavash is also used in other Armenian rites, such as matchmaking ceremonies, where tearing a pita leaf seals the agreement. It is commonly served with local cheeses, greens, or meats and can be preserved for up to six months. In its dried form, it can be stored for almost a year and is used in Eucharist traditions by the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The baking of lavash is not just a bread-making process but a cherished ritual with its own rules. It is prepared in large quantities and can be made in advance, which is useful in regions with harsh winters. Armenians have a strong connection to bread, and lavash is always present on their tables, regardless of the time of day.
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The mother-in-law places the bread on the couple to protect them from evil spirits
Lavash is a traditional thin bread that forms an integral part of Armenian cuisine and culture. It is commonly served with local cheeses, greens, or meats and can be preserved for up to six months. The preparation of lavash is typically undertaken by a group of women, requiring great effort, coordination, experience, and special skills.
Lavash holds a significant role in Armenian weddings, where it is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds by the mother-in-law to bring fertility, prosperity, and protection from evil spirits. This ritual has been preserved and is considered a vital aspect of any traditional Armenian wedding. The mother-in-law, by placing the lavash on the couple, symbolically shields them from malevolent forces, invoking blessings of good fortune and a sweet life together. The bread itself, being carefully prepared and cherished, adds to the solemnity and significance of the ritual.
The mother-in-law's act of placing lavash on the couple's shoulders is deeply rooted in Armenian beliefs and traditions. Armenians hold a profound respect for bread, and lavash, in particular, is considered sacred. Dropping bread is considered a sin, as it is believed to attract evil spirits. By placing the lavash on the newlyweds, the mother-in-law not only offers protection but also ensures that the couple starts their married life with blessings and abundance.
The ritual of placing lavash on the shoulders of the newlyweds is often accompanied by other symbolic gestures. For instance, the couple may also break a plate, symbolizing good luck, and they are offered honey by the groom's mother, signifying happiness and sweetness in their new life together. The guests shower them with sweets, nuts, and coins, expressing their warm wishes and presenting gifts, money, and jewels.
The mother-in-law's role in this ritual is essential, as she embodies the wisdom and experience of a life lived within the Armenian cultural context. By performing this ritual, she not only imparts her blessings but also ensures the continuity of traditions, passing them down to the next generation. The act of placing lavash on the couple's shoulders becomes a tangible expression of her love, care, and responsibility toward the new couple, welcoming them into the family with open arms and offering spiritual protection.
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The bread is served with honey, symbolising happiness and sweetness
Lavash is a traditional Armenian thin flatbread that is integral to the cuisine and culture of the country. It is made with flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt, and is baked in a tandoor or on a sajj. The bread-making process is considered a cherished ritual, with each woman involved playing a specific role. The process usually begins early in the morning, with fires kindled in a tonir, a traditional underground oven.
Lavash is commonly served with local cheeses, greens, or meats and can be preserved for up to six months. It is also used in Armenian weddings, where it is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to bring fertility, prosperity, and good luck, and to ward off evil spirits.
The bread is also served with honey, symbolising happiness and sweetness for the couple. This ritual is performed by the mother of the groom, who offers the couple lavash and honey as a wish for good fortune and fertility. The couple then eats a spoonful of honey, symbolising happiness in their new life together. The sweetness of the honey reflects the hope for a sweet and joyful marriage.
The combination of lavash and honey is a traditional way to welcome the bride and groom into the groom's house after the wedding ceremony. The couple enters the house and breaks a plate, which is believed to bring good luck. The guests then shower the couple with sweets, nuts, and coins, along with gifts, money, and jewels. This ritual is a way to celebrate the newlyweds and wish them a life filled with sweetness and happiness.
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Lavash is prepared by a group of women, requiring skill and coordination
Lavash is a traditional thin bread that is an integral part of Armenian cuisine and culture. Its preparation is a ritual that is typically undertaken by a small group of women, requiring great effort, coordination, experience, and special skills. The process usually begins early in the morning, with fires kindled in a tonir, a traditional underground oven. Each woman plays a specific role in the process, from dough preparation to rolling and baking, with the expertise of experienced women guiding the less skilled. This fosters a sense of community and helps pass down traditions.
The dough is made from a simple combination of wheat flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. It can also be made unleavened by omitting sugar and yeast. Toasted sesame seeds or poppy seeds may be sprinkled on before baking for added flavour and texture. The dough is then kneaded and formed into balls, which are rolled out into thin layers and stretched over a special oval cushion. This cushion is then slapped against the wall of the tonir oven, and the baked bread is pulled out after thirty seconds to a minute.
Lavash is commonly served fresh, rolled around local cheeses, greens, or meats. It can also be dried and stored for up to six months to a year and rehydrated with water before consumption. This long shelf life makes it ideal for regions with harsh winters, where it is stacked in large quantities and softened before serving. Soft lavash is versatile and can be used for making wraps, sandwiches, and scooping up food. It is a staple in Armenian cuisine and is always present on the table, regardless of the time of day.
The preparation of lavash is not just a bread-making process but a cherished ritual with its own rules and traditions. It is a collaborative effort that brings women together, strengthening community bonds and ensuring the preservation of this ancient bread-making art.
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Frequently asked questions
Lavash is placed on the shoulders of the newlyweds to bring fertility and prosperity and to keep away evil spirits.
The mother-in-law is responsible for placing the lavash on the newlyweds' shoulders.
Lavash is a traditional thin bread that forms an integral part of Armenian cuisine.
Lavash is significant in Armenian culture as it is believed to bring good luck and fortune. It is also considered a sin to drop lavash as it may attract evil spirits.
