Khaberni - The forty-day winter period (or Marba'aniyah) in Jordan, the Levant, and many Arab countries is identified as the beginning of the period when the cold intensifies during the winter season, and it is an important and critical period especially for farmers and agricultural lands, due to the risk of frosts and freezing that causes damage to crops, so when does the Marba'aniyah start in Jordan?
When does the Marba'aniyah start in Jordan?
The Marba'aniyah begins at the start of the winter season astronomically, i.e., on December 21 or 22, and ends at the end of January, meaning it lasts for 40 days.
The winter season extends over ninety days divided into two parts, which are:
The first part: Marba'aniyah, whose name refers to its duration of forty days.
The second part: Khamaseeniyah, which is referred to by its name indicating a duration of fifty days and is also called the period of Sawaadat.
The Sawaadat period
After the Marba'aniyah period in Jordan, the four Sawaadat period follows, which are:
Saad Dhabih (starts on 3/1): It is a metaphor for severe cold occurring during its period. It is expressed by the folk saying: (Saad dhabih, his dog did not bark, his farmer did not farm, his shepherd did not graze).
Saad Bala' (starts on 2/12): Named Bala' because during it the ground absorbs its water, making the rivers overflow and filling the wells. It is expressed by the folk saying: (Saad Bala', the drops fall and get absorbed).
Saad Saud (starts on 2/25): It breaks the weather's coldness and leans toward warmth. This stage signifies the onset of spring, as the leaves ripen, flowers open, and signs of spring appear. It is expressed by the folk saying: (Saad Saud, the water moves in the wood, and everyone cold feels warmth).
Saad Khabaya (starts on 3/9): The trees bloom, and insects are active, and spring spreads through the land. It is expressed by the folk saying: (Saad Khabaya, snakes come out, and girls twist [dance]).
The borrowed days, what are they?
The borrowed days are 7 days including the last 4 days of month 2 (February) and the first 3 days of month 3 (March).
It is so named because February, being the shortest month of the year, borrows from March to prolong the rainy period. It is also called "the old woman's days," as they occur at the end of winter. And in these days, February says to March: "March my cousin, three from you and four from me, we let the old woman in the valley sing."
The decisive days
The decisive days begin from 3/11, and it is said they last 6 or 8 days. They are so named because they are characterized by intense cold and wind, as mentioned in Surah Al-Haqqah, Almighty God says: (He unleashed it upon them for seven nights and eight decisive days, so you would see the people lying therein, as if they were hollow palm trunks. (7) Do you see any remnants for them? (8)).
The three embers
The first on 2/20, the ember of air; people feel the warmth of the air.
The second on 2/27, the ember of water; people feel the warmth of the water.
The third on 3/6, the ember of earth; people feel the warmth of the earth.
