{{Refimprove|date = April 2010}}
'''Akitu''' or '''Akitum''' (Chaldean Akkadian and Summerian languages: {{sc|ezen á.ki.tum}}, ''akiti-šekinku'', {{sc|á.ki.ti.še.gur₁₀.ku₅}}, {{abbr|lit.|Literally}} "the barley-cutting",{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} ''akiti-šununum'', {{abbr|lit.|Literally}} "barley-sowing"; [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]]: ''{{lang|akk-Latn|akitu}}'' or ''{{lang|akk-Latn|rêš-šattim}}'', "head of the year") was a [[spring festival]] in ancient [[Mesopotamia]].The Chaldean Babylonian Akitu festival was celebrated originally in Babylon and has played a pivotal role in the Chaldean heritage and development of rituals. An important event marking the beginning of new Spring in Mesopotamia by the Chaldean people.<ref>The Chaldean Babylonian Akitu Festival: Rectifying the King or Renewing the Cosmos? (n.d.): n. pag. Web.</ref>
'''Akitu''' or '''Akitum''' (Chaldean Akkadian and Summerian languages: ''á.ki.tum'', ''akiti-šekinku'', {{abbr|lit.|Literally}} "the barley-cutting" ''akiti-šununum'', {{abbr|lit.|Literally}} "barley-sowing"; [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]]: ''{{lang|akk-Latn|akitu}}'' or ''{{lang|akk-Latn|rêš-šattim}}'', "head of the year") was a [[spring festival]] in ancient [[Mesopotamia]].The Chaldean Babylonian Akitu festival was celebrated originally in Babylon and has played a pivotal role in the Chaldean heritage and development of rituals. An important event marking the beginning of new Spring in Mesopotamia by the Chaldean people.<ref>The Chaldean Babylonian Akitu Festival: Rectifying the King or Renewing the Cosmos? (n.d.): n. pag. Web.</ref>
[[File:Akitu 7321 T1.jpg|thumb|Akitu 7321 T1thumb|Akitu Chaldean New Year 7321]]
[[File:Akitu 7319 Enhanced 125 pixels.jpg|thumb|Akitu Chaldean Year 7319]]
[[File:Akitu 7321 Lion.PNG|thumb|Akitu 7321 T0|thumb|Akitu Chaldean New Year 7321]]
[[File:Akitu Festival 7317.jpg|thumb|Akitu Festival by Chaldeans of Babylon]]
===Sixth Day===
Before the gods arrived, the day would be filled with commotion. The puppets that were made on the third day would be burned and mock battle would be taking place as well. This commotion signified that without Marduk, the city would be in constant chaos.<ref name="Britannica">"Middle Eastern religion". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web.</ref> The arrival of [[God]] [[Nabu]] in boats accompanied by his assistants of brave Gods coming from [[Nippur]], [[Uruk]], [[Kish (Sumer)|Kish]], and Eridu (cities ancient Babylonia). The Gods accompanying Nabu would be represented by statues which would be mounted on boats made especially for the occasion. Here the people in huge numbers would begin their walk behind their king towards the Esagila where Marduk is held prisoner, chanting the following :"Here's he who's coming from far to restore the glory of our imprisoned father".
[[File:29746114 10214503058944777 2120035821 n.png|thumb|Akitu Chaldean Year]]
===Seventh Day===