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'''Akitu''' or '''Akitum''' (Sumerian and Chaldean languageAkkadian 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 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 Festival 7317.jpg|thumb|Akitu Festival by Chaldeans of Babylon]]
The name is from the Chaldean Akkadian and Sumerian for "[[barley]]", originally marking two festivals celebrating the beginning of each of the two half-years of the Sumerian calendar, marking the sowing of barley in autumn and the cutting of barley in spring. In [[Babylonian religion]] it came to be dedicated to [[Marduk]]'s victory over [[Tiamat]].
Following the first new moon after the vernal equinox in late March, the Chaldean Babylonians of Mesopotamia would honor the rebirth of the natural world with a multi-day festival called Akitu. This early New Year’s celebration dates back to around 5700 B.C., and is believed to have been deeply intertwined with religion and mythology. During the Akitu, statues of the gods were paraded through the city streets, and rites were enacted to symbolize their victory over the forces of chaos. Through these rituals the Babylonians believed the world was symbolically cleansed and recreated by the gods in preparation for the new year and the return of spring.
==Babylonian Akitu==
The Babylonian festival traditionally starts on 21 [[Adar]] - 1 [[Nisannu]]. March 21st to April 1st for 12 days.
===First to third Day===
