What is Nowruz?
Nowruz (pronounced no-rooz) means ‘new day’. The first word “now” means new and the second word “ruz” means day. Nowruz is the Iranian/Persian New Year that occurs when the vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day, depending on where it is observed. The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year, and families gather together to observe the rituals.
Although having Iranian and religious Zoroastrian origins, Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethnolinguistic communities for thousands of years. It is a secular holiday for most celebrants that is enjoyed by people of several different faiths but remains a holy day for Zoroastrians.
Here are the many countries that celebrate Nowruz.
Iran
House cleaning, or shaking the house, as referred to by Farsi-speaking (Persian / Iranian Persian speaking) Iranians, is commonly observed before the arrival of Nowruz. People start preparing for Nowruz weeks in advance with a major spring-cleaning and the purchase of new clothes to wear for the New Year, as well as the purchase of flowers. In particular, the hyacinth and the tulip are popular and conspicuous.
As part of their celebrations, they also arrange a table setting with 7 different items known as Haft-Seen. These items are Sabzeh (wheatgrass grown in a dish), Samanu (sweet pudding made from wheat germ), Senjed (silverberry), Serkeh (vinegar), Seeb (apple), Seer (garlic) and Sumac. Other items such as a mirror, candle, colored eggs, fish, coins and hyacinths. The most important part of the festivities is to gather and celebrate with family and friends.
Afghanistan
Nowruz 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. Preparations for Nowruz start several days beforehand, at least after Chaharshanbe Suri i.e. the last Wednesday before the New Year.
Albania
In Albania, the day of Sultan Nevruzit is celebrated as a mainly mystical day by the Bektashi sect. There are special ceremonies in the Tekke, led by the clergy, and large meals are served there. They celebrate this day as the birthday of Ali. Alongside the religious celebration, all Albanians celebrate a secular version of Nowruz, which is referred to as the Spring Day (Albanian: Dita e Verës).
Azerbaijan
After Iran, the Republic of Azerbaijan hosts the greatest number of public holidays related to Nowruz, with a total of 7 days. In Azerbaijan, the holiday goes on for several days and ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands, as well as the contests of national sports. In rural areas, crop holidays are also marked.
India
The Parsi New Year is celebrated as Jamshed Navroz by the entire Parsi community. Parsi New Year is a regional holiday celebrated in Maharashtra, India. It is also known as ‘Jamshedi Navroz’ after the legendary King of Persia, Jamshed who started the Parsi Calendar.
It falls in the month of March, according to the Gregorian calendar. As the day commences with the advent of spring or the vernal equinox, Jamshed Navroz is celebrated with immense fun and fervour. Zoroastrian Parsis observe the festival by performing the rituals and rites with full devotion and duty.
Turkey
In Turkey, Nowruz is celebrated by the Kurdish minority. The holiday banned for decades is now legal in Turkey. The word ‘Newroz’ is Kurdish for ‘Nowruz’. The Kurds celebrate this feast between the 18th and 21st of March. The holiday is considered by Kurds to be the single most important holiday of every year. It involves setting up large bonfires on mountaintops celebrating the defeat of the demon-king Zahak, who is a character from the Shahnameh, The Book of the Kings, by Iran’s national poet, Ferdowsi Toussi.
Now you know the origins of Nowruz, where it is celebrated and why. Be sure to wish your friends and colleagues celebrating “Nowruz Pirouz”!
Andrie Steliou
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