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What is Nowruz?

By Muska Hamidi

The first day of the solar year is called Nowruz.

Nowruz is an ancient celebration, a native tradition and a long-standing custom in the field of Persian geography.

This ancient celebration has a very old history among the nations of the world, especially Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan,

Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and it is celebrated as a symbol of modernization in these countries.

It can also be said that Nowruz celebration is a sign of the culture of Aryan myths and this culture is a message of creativity, equality, coexistence and greenery.

As a natural celebration, Nowruz is a symbol of life and death, and it is also considered a symbol of the resurrection of nature.

Nowruz has remained in the world due to its direct connection with nature, human beings and the traditions of society.

In September 2009, UNESCO included Nowruz in the list of human cultural heritage.

This festival is celebrated lavishly in all provinces of Afghanistan, and some regions of the country such as Herat, Kabul, Balkh and Ghazni give more respect to this festival and try to keep this culture alive under any conditions and pass it on to the next generations.

In Nowruz, Afghan citizens prepare the “Seven Sin” table, which includes vinegar (a symbol of patience and endurance), sumac (a symbol of overcoming difficulties), sanjad (a symbol of love and friendship), Sabze (a symbol of freshness and life), coins (a symbol of wealth and blessing).  garlic (symbol of health and healing) and hyacinth (symbol of prosperity and growth).

Here is how some big cities of Afghanistan celebrate Nowruz:

People in Kabul go to amusement parks during Nowruz and have fun playing paper kites. A number of people participate in the paper-throwing competition on the roofs of their houses with their friends and neighbors as a group or individually.

Herat is one of the cultural cities of Afghanistan and the people of this city celebrate Nowruz and New Year in amusement parks and places of interest by holding cultural and musical programs.

In Balkh, people start a celebration in Nowruz under the name of Rose Bar, which attracts thousands of domestic and foreign visitors.

The people of Ghazni celebrate Nowruz in different ways, such as cooking semanak, preparing the Haft Sin table, taking gifts to the house of the betrothed, going to shrines, going to recreation centers, and starting javelin and shooting.

Nowruz celebration has a different meaning for every citizen of Afghanistan and they celebrate this day according to their point of view.

Sara Yaqoubi, one of the contemporary female poets of Afghanistan, describes Nowruz as follows: “The spring that teaches people to grow again.”

It means that after every winter, when all the trees become dry and barren, in this season they sprout again and get leaves and fruit. And what they have left in the winter is forgotten, they grow again with all their strength and give blossoms and fruits.

This season for us represents the re-greening after seeing thousands of cloudy and cold days.

Originally posted 2024-03-28 21:56:41.