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Nou Rooz and How Its Celebrated In Your Country

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  Quote Afghanan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Nou Rooz and How Its Celebrated In Your Country
    Posted: 15-Mar-2006 at 14:30

Salaam to All Members,

I would like to create a discussion topic about Nou Rooz and how its celebrated in your country and different cultural (even religious) traditions that are accompanied with it.

 

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  Quote Afghanan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17-Mar-2006 at 13:12

Now Roz: Festival of the Red Flower

Lalazar - Afghanistan

By Dr. G. Rauf Roashan
April-June 1998
Lemar-Aftaab

This article is written for every one interested in Afghan culture and especially for the Afghan youth to read, understand, research, inquire and to be proud of their history and national traditions. The intent of this work is to let the youth know that Afghanistan is more than 5000 years old and boasts of a culture deeply rooted in history..


Historical relics confirm the existence of social life more than twenty thousand years ago in present day Afghanistan . The Aryan race, who according to the legend migrated south from the nothern steppes of centeral Asia to the vast plains of central Asia and later on both sides of the River Oxus.

These Aryans were also among the first who tamed animals and planted food. Around 5000 years ago. They built the first city just south of the Oxus in northern Afghanistan. The city was called Bakhdi and it had tall towers and flew colorful flags on its high walls. Much later, the Arab historians called it the mother of cities. Today, it is called Balkh.

The dwellers of Balkh flourished within the haven of their high walled bastion. Urban comforts let them cherish cultural achievements in the form of a religion founded by one of its sons, Zoroaster of Balkh. Long before the advent of Islam, Zoroaster's religion preached faith in a single God, Ahuramzda, the creator of the universe, and belief in the eternity of the soul. Its slogans of good thought, good deed and good speech were the very first social rules for its followers.

This religion focused on joy and happiness and eschewed sorrow and unhappiness. It also preached that once a year the souls of the ancestors came down to visit those left on earth and wanted the people to prepare for the occasion and to allow the visitors to find joy, happiness and cleanliness everywhere. Fire and light were sacred and since the source of the light, the Sun, was the origin of time, their solar calendar began with the first day of spring.

The solar year, with 365 days and six hours, was divided into twelve thirty-day months. There were five days left at the end of the year and before the advent of the new year which were allotted for preparation of the celebration. During these days, the Aryans cleaned their homes, prepared new clothes and gathered the best of food and fruits to be offered to the visiting souls of the ancestors. A special drink brewed from the purest herb roots and called Soma was also prepared for the occasion. The Aryans were well versed in music and dance and thus they would come out from the winter to meet the spring, and the new year with joy, happiness, songs and dances. So it was for centuries and generations.

The advent of Islam and its expansion eastward into Afghanistan and beyond deeply affected every aspect of life in the conquered lands. Military domination was replaced by cultural influence. Arab culture, language and ways of life struggled to replace those in the conquered countries. But the tradition of Now Roz, the new day, continued to exist. In recent decades, a new trend was adopted in which the Now Roze was given a religious touch in Afghanistan. This mixed the celebration of Now Roze at least at two cities in Afghanistan, Kabul and Mazar, with the hoisting of the banner at Hazrat Ali's shrines. Even then, the ancient tradition of Now Roz and the upholding of the status of the farmer overshadowed the religious significance belatedly attached to this day. This had many reasons. For one thing, throughout history, Afghans have valued their age old traditions so much so that many of the invaders and conquerors were forced to adapt to the country's culture rather than purely imposing their own.

On the other hand, the 21st of March, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, speaks for itself. On this day you can feel, smell, hear, see and touch the Spring in many parts of Afghanistan. The vast pastures of northern Afghanistan seem to be covered by a colorful carpet of wild flowers. Wild tulips and poppies and daisies and violets sprout out among the green grass to proudly and colorfully announce the advent of Spring. The whitest of snow melts down from the mountains forming rivulets of crystal clear water flowing down toward the valleys.

Samangan - Afghanistan

And at times, refreshing soft rain comes down from amidst white clouds that dot the bluest of skies from valleys and foothills, so high and so close to the heavens, that you got the feeling of living in it. These were some of the things that existed before Islam came into Afghanistan and thus could not be turned into a religious event.

In the city of Kabul, where I was born and grew up, Now Roz was observed with a tremendous amount of jubilation. The Kabul valley which is like a bowl surrounded by the branches of the mighty Hindu Kush is subdivided by two majestic mountains, Asa-Mayee and Shair Darwaza. In olden days, most of Kabul was located at the foot hills of these mountains and thus the mountain ridges and slopes constituted the play grounds of Kabuli children. In Now Roz, picnics were held around these two land marks. Juba on the east slope of Shair Darwaza and Sakhi Jan on the southwest of Asa Mayee.

 



Kabulis would wear new or clean and colorful garbs and with a high spirit of jubilation, accompanied by their families and friends go to these picnic areas, choose a natural step on the slope, kindle the charcoal in their samovars, cook meals on charcoal stoves and eat sweets and dried fruits and from the heights watch the city of Kabul as she awoke from under a blanket of snow to look into the spring. The picnic area thoroughfares were lined with make shift food stores, where, in huge pans on burning wood, fish were being fried and sweets prepared afresh for sale to the jubilant customers.

Kabul 1970s

There were also the sellers who sold from large trays cheese and raisins and or boiled eggs, boiled and specially prepared peas and potatoes sauced with special formula vinegar and spices. In flat areas downhill, merry-go-rounds, wooden horses and tens of toy shops selling wooden and metal toys were located and the untiring children would frequent rounds of the plays and buy the noisiest of toys including the wooden rattlers the sounds of which mixed with the joyous sonority of the day. And there was kite flying contests where some of the most beautifully constructed kites would be flown by expert flyers who used special formulas over a period of weeks to treat the string with which they flew their kites and would entangle the strings of the flying kites with that of their rival until such a time that one string broke. The kite that remained flying was the winner.

On the night of Now Roz, the Kabulis ate Sabzi Chalau with the meat of the white rooster. They also prepared another special dish, Samanak, made from the sprouts of very young wheat germs grown on special trays. Samanak was prepared overnight by groups of young maidens who cooked it over burning wood fire in big pans and sang songs of Now Roz.

Also many of the believers went to the shrine of Hazrath Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam, at the foothill of Shair Darwaza paying homage to his memory. Many people would try to pass through the split rock located near the shrine. Those who passed easily were considered innocent and those who experienced difficulty in passing through were called sinners.

In the northern city of Mazar-Sharif where one of the most beautiful buildings, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, houses the mythically believed grave of Hazrat Ali, too, thousands of Afghans gathered to watch the banner hoisting ceremonies. But the traditional attraction of the observation of Now Roz in that city was the festival of the Red Flower Picnic.

In Now Roz and following into the month of April, the wide plains of northern Afghanistan bloom with hundreds of thousands of wild flowers including the red tulip and poppies and thus the name of the Red Flower Festival. The majestic view of these wide open areas in the prairie in northern Afghanistan covered with a carpet of flowers was out of this world.



It is for the Afghans to keep the tradition alive and celebrate their new year in line with their customs and make it a point to observe the day with joy and pave the grounds for a new year of happiness, peace, friendship and reconciliation in a country in ruins.

Also by Dr. G. R. Roashan
Beauty Before Age: A Cultural Consideration (Oct-Dec. 97)

 

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Nou Rooz and Spring in Afghanistan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  Quote Behi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Mar-2006 at 09:19
Nice Article & pix Afghanan
, the Kabulis ate Sabzi Chalau with the meat of the white rooster.

same, but here it's sabzi chalau (polo) with fried fish


Zoroaster of Balkh

Zartosht birth place is unknown, there is many theories about his birth place, but yes, Most beleive in Aria or Parthia satarap


Lalazar - Afghanistan

this flowers aren't Lale=Tulip, it's Shaghaiegh, I don't know name in English


Edited by Land of Aryan
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  Quote Iranian41ife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Mar-2006 at 09:29
some say he was born in arran.
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  Quote Behi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Mar-2006 at 09:36

No-Rooz, The Iranian(Iranic) New Year at Present Times


"Haft Seen"
No-Rooz, in word, means "New Day". It is the new day that starts the year, traditionally the exact astronomical beginning of the Spring. Iranians take that as the beginning of the year. This exact second is called "Saal Tahvil". No-Rooz with its' uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian (This was the religion of ancient Persia before the advent of Islam in 7th century A.D.).

Iranians consider No-Rooz as their biggest celebration of the year, before the new year, they start cleaning their houses (Khaane Tekaani), and they buy new clothes. But a major part of New Year rituals is setting the "Haft Seen" with seven specific items. In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism. All the seven items start with the letter "S"; this was not the order in ancient times. These seven things usually are: Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh (sumak, an Iranian spice). Zoroastrians today do not have the seven "S"s but they have the ritual of growing seven seeds as a reminder that this is the seventh feast of creation, while their sprouting into new growth symbolized resurrection and eternal life to come.

Wheat or lentil representing new growth is grown in a flat dish a few days before the New Year and is called Sabzeh (green shoots). Decorated with colorful ribbons, it is kept until Sizdah beh dar, the 13th day of the New Year, and then disposed outdoors. A few live gold fish (the most easily obtainable animal) are placed in a fish bowl. In the old days they would be returned to the riverbanks, but today most people will keep them. Mirrors are placed on the spread with lit candles as a symbol of fire. Most of the people used to place Qoran on their Sofreh (spread) in order to bless the New Year. But some people found another alternative to Qoran and replaced it by the Divan-e Hafez (poetry book of Hefez), and during "Saal Tahvil" reading some verses from it was popular. Nowadays, a great number of Iranians are placing Shahnameh (the Epic of Kings) of Ferdowsi on their spread as an Iranian national book. They believe that Shahnameh has more Iranian identity values and spirits, and is much suitable for this ancient celebration.

"Sizdah-Bedar"
After the Saal Tahvil, people hug and kiss each other and wish each other a happy new year. Then they give presents to each other (traditionally cash, coins or gold coins), usually older ones to the younger ones. The first few days are spent visiting older members of the family, relatives and friends. Children receive presents and sweets, special meals and "Aajil" (a combination of different nuts with raisins and other sweet stuff) or fruits are consumed. Traditionally on the night before the New Year, most Iranians will have Sabzi Polo Mahi, a special dish of rice cooked with fresh herbs and served with smoked and freshly fried fish. Koukou Sabzi, a mixture of fresh herbs with eggs fried or baked, is also served. The next day rice and noodles (Reshteh Polo) is served. Regional variations exist and very colorful feasts are prepared.

The 13th day of the new year is called "Sizdah Bedar" and spent mostly outdoors. People will leave their homes to go to the parks or local plains for a festive picnic. It is a must to spend Sizdah Bedar in nature. This is called Sizdah Bedar and is the most popular day of the holidays among children because they get to play a lot! Also in this day, people throw the Sabze away, they believe Sabze should not stay in the house after "Sizdah Bedar". Iranians regard 13th day as a bad omen and believe that by going into the fields and parks they avoid misfortunes. It is also believed that unwed girls can wish for a husband by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots, symbolizing a marital bond.

Another tradition of the new year celebrations is "Chahar-Shanbeh Soori". It takes place before Saal Tahvil, at the last Wednesday of the old year, well actually Tuesday night! People set up bon fire, young and old leap over the fires with songs and gestures of merriment like:
(Sorkhi-e to az man) Give me your beautiful red color
(Zardi-e man az to) And take back my sickly pallor!

It means: I will give you my yellow color (sign of sickness), and you give me your fiery red color (sign of healthiness). This is a purification rite and 'suri' itself means red and fiery.
No-Rooz Greetings:
No-Rooz Mobarak (Happy No-Rooz, Happy New Year);
Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak (Happy New Year to you);
No-Rooz Pirooz (Wishing you a Prosperous New Year);
Sad Saal be in Saal-ha (Wishing you 100 more Happy New Years).

After all No-Rooz is a fun time for all of the Iranians, old and young.

http://iranchamber.com/culture/articles/norooz_iranian_new_y ear.php
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  Quote Afghanan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 02:16

Originally posted by Land of Aryan

Nice Article & pix Afghanan
same, but here it's sabzi chalau (polo) with fried fish...
this flowers aren't Lale=Tulip, it's Shaghaiegh, I don't know name in English

I believe the name of the flower in English is Animones. ( (-nm-n)

As for food, our food is very similar here last years Nou Rooz Dinner at our house:

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Laidam Palao & Cherga (Chicken in Pashto)  Its a Special Green Rice made with Spinach, Dillweed, Parsley and other spices served with Chicken.

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Baked Fish marinated with Lemon Juice and Garlic with Green/Red/Yellow Bell Peppers on top.

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Chalao, (Polo in Iranian Farsi)

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Kofta Qorma (Beef Meatballs in a Tomato and Lentil Stew)

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Bolaani/Peerakai (Stuffed Grilled Bread filled with either Potatoes and special spices or filled with Fresh Spring Onions and Spices)  You eat this with fresh plain Yogurt, or Chutney, (or both).

 

 

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Sabzee (Spinach) and Also world famous Afghani Naan

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Fresh Green Chutney

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Salaate Maida - Chopped Fresh Salad (Chopped Parsley, Green Onions, Tomatoes, Fresh Spearmint, Lemons, Cucumbers, and a little Salt

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Enjoy the pictures because I sure enjoyed eating them. 

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  Quote ramin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 02:31
Originally posted by Afghanan

Enjoy the pictures because I sure enjoyed eating them. 
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  Quote azimuth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 02:53

 i was looking for that "green chutny" in australia and no luck ,  people brouhgt us some in UAE and it tasted great with fried eggs lol.

 

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  Quote Afghanan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 03:06

More Pictures of Spring Time in Afghanistan:

Afghan Children Picking Flowers ( They look like Tulips).

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Springtime in Nooristan

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Mazar e Sharif

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Pashtun Children Dressed for Naway Kaal (Nou Rooz)

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Afghan Tajik Girl Dressed for Nou Rooz

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Naiza Baazi Competition in Ghazi Stadium Kabul

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Spring Flowers in Afghan Valley

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Afghans Performing National Dance (Attan) in Kabul during Nou Rooz

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Flower Covered Trees in Spring - Kabul

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Badakhshan - Afghanistan

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Bamyan Afghanistan

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Buzkashi is a Naway Kaal Tradition in Afghanistan

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Fields of Flowers

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Afghan Child Harvesting Gandana (Spring Onions)

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Afghan Children Playing Kite Fighting (Tradition during New Years)

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Afghans Playing Traditional Game known as Ghusai (Form of Wrestling)

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Afghan National Dance During Nou Rooz

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Kochi Nomads Taking Sheep out for Grazing (1st month in Pashto is also named after the newborn Sheep - Ooreh

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Nomadic Aimaq Turkmen Yurts in Bamian Afghanistan during Spring

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Afghans make pilgrimage to this Hazrat Ali Mosque during Nou Rooz to give blessings

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Artist rendering of King's Palace in Afghanistan (Destroyed during War)

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Panjsher Valley in Spring Time

 

 

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Spring Poppies in Afghanistan



Edited by Afghanan
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  Quote Behi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 07:55
our Haft sin


& as every year, whole family gathered in my grandfather house for lunch (Sabzi polo mahi) (image Censured)


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  Quote Iranian41ife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23-Mar-2006 at 10:14
Originally posted by azimuth

 i was looking for that "green chutny" in australia and no luck ,  people brouhgt us some in UAE and it tasted great with fried eggs lol.

 

do the ajami's celebrate norouz or not?

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  Quote medenaywe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 03:38
Nu RooZ-=From Start Time,word(news!)!

Edited by medenaywe - 23-Jan-2012 at 13:19
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  Quote Ollios Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 04:03
Turks and Kurds are celebrating Nevruz (Turkish version) with fire. Jumping on the fire is the famousest attraction and second one is beating sword (I think just for Turks)







Edited by Ollios - 22-Jan-2012 at 04:18
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  Quote medenaywe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 06:45
We have same day and call it "Prochka"(Forgiveness!) when everyone forgives other's sins!Fire is part of ritual on this day and masks also!Today those fires&masks are for children only.Young one goes to elder for forgiveness this day.
P.S.
But "somehow",this day comes,next month or march!(March is ancient Egyptian New Year)(26.02. this year)

Edited by medenaywe - 22-Jan-2012 at 12:01
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  Quote TheAlaniDragonRising Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 07:02
I have a feeling I've read somewhere that the Ossetians celebrate this too, though I would need someone to confirm this for me. If someone has links and everything on this please can you post them to expand on my knowledge.Smile
What a handsome figure of a dragon. No wonder I fall madly in love with the Alani Dragon now, the avatar, it's a gorgeous dragon picture.
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  Quote medenaywe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 07:43
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  Quote TheAlaniDragonRising Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Jan-2012 at 07:47
Originally posted by medenaywe

Here it is,Alani:
http://ossetians.com/eng/news.php?newsid=619
Thank you, medenaywe, that's very kind of you.Smile
What a handsome figure of a dragon. No wonder I fall madly in love with the Alani Dragon now, the avatar, it's a gorgeous dragon picture.
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