Nowruz, the name of the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian and Kursish New Year, is celebrated by people worldwide as the beginning of the new year. It has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It marks the first day of the month of Farvardin in the Iranian Calendar.
Nowruz is the day that marks the beginning of the spring in the northern hemisphere and usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.
Although having Persian origins, Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years, with celebrations happening right here in Vancouver too.
Some of the countries that observe the holiday are Iran, Afghanistan, Georgia, Armenia, Russia, and Turkey.
In particular Nowroz is celebrated widely in Afghanistan. Also known as Farmer’s Day, the observances usually last two weeks, culminating on the first day of the Afghan New Year, March 21. During the Taliban rule (1996–2001), Nowruz was banned and considered an “ancient pagan holiday centered on fire worship”. Preparations for Nowroz start several days beforehand, at least after Chaharshanbe Suri, the last Wednesday before the New Year. Among various traditions and customs, the most important ones are as following:
- Guli Surkh festival (Persian: ميلهى گل سرخ): The Guli Surkh festival which literally means Red Flower Festival (referring to the red Tulip flowers) is the principal festival for Nowroz. It is celebrated in Mazar-e Sharif during the first 40 days of the year when the Tulip flowers grow in the green plains and over the hills surrounding the city. People from all over the country travel to Mazari Sharif to attend the Nawroz festivals. Various activities and customs are performed during the Guli Surkh festival, including the Jahenda Bala event and Buzkashi games.
- Jahenda Bālā (Persian: جهنده بالا; old Persian Zoroastrian term Zend or Zand Persian: ژند ): Jahenda Bala is celebrated on the first day of the New Year (i.e. Nawroz), and is attended by high-ranking government officials such as the Vice-President, Ministers, and Provincial Governors. It is a specific religious ceremony performed in the Blue Mosque of Mazar that is believed (mostly by Sunnite Afghans) to be the site of the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph of Islam. The ceremony is performed by raising a special banner whose color configuration resembles Derafsh Kaviani. This is the biggest recorded Nowroz gathering where up to 200,000 people from all over Afghanistan get together in Mazar central park around blue mosque to celebrate the banner raising (Jahenda Bālā ) ceremony.
- Buzkashi: Along with other customs and celebrations, normally a Buzkashi tournament is held during the Guli Surkh festival in Mazaris Sharif, Kabul and other northern cities of Afghanistan.
- Haft Mēwa (Persian: هفت میوه): In Afghanistan, people prepare Haft Mēwa (literally translates as Seven Fruits) instead of Haft Sin which is common in Iran. Haft Mewa is like a Fruit salad made from 7 different Dried fruits, served in their own syrup. The 7 dried fruits are: Raisin, Senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), Pistachio, Hazelnut, Prune (dry fruit of Apricot), Walnut and whether Almond or another species of Plum fruit.
- Samanak: It is a special type of sweet dish made from germinated wheat, and is normally cooked or prepared on the eve of Nawroz or a few days before the Nawroz. Women take a special party for it during the night, and cook it from late in the evening till the daylight, singing a special song: Samanak dar Josh o mā Kafcha zanem – Dochtaran* dar Khwāb o mā Dafcha zanem (* Dochter mains 1 daughter 2 young Lady or girl).
Below is a picture of a store owner getting ready for Nowruz in Afghanistan:
via: UNAMAnews/ Flickr
To get everyone ready for this years festivities the Afghan Student Association is throwing their big Nowruz event this Saturday March 19th at UBC’s Great Hall.
The event starts at 6:00pm sharp, and there will be no tickets sold at the door, with limited tickets still left.
Having a very vibrant, and active Afghan community locally, we are lucky to see first hand the culture, and history of this extravagant celebration.
Want to dive into the world of Afghan culture? Then come on out this Saturday March 19th for a night full of music, dance, artwork, and of course chai. For tickets click here.
