Navruz is the main holiday of spring. Everything seems to come to life on this holiday, when the day becomes equal to the night. Every day the sun shines brighter and brighter and warms the earth more generously with its rays, while filling all the living around with its energy.
Navruz is celebrated on March 21 in countries such as: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Albania, Macedonia, and even in some regions of Russia (North Caucasus, Bashkiria, Tatarstan) and Ukraine.
Navruz is not celebrated in Arab countries.
It is believed that Navruz came to us from Zoroastrianism, a religion, the sacred book of which states that it is necessary to celebrate the rebirth of life every spring. It is also believed that the celebration of Navruz is associated with the rule of the legendary Shah Jamshid, who is referred to in Shakhname poem. According to another legend, it is believed that the Iranian commander Siyavush was buried on this day.
People usually do general cleaning of the whole house, buy new clothes for the family, return debts, forgive and reconcile with foes before Navruz.
Navruz is considered to be a family holiday. On this day, a festive table is set up, where there must traditionally be dishes such as sumalak, kuk-samsa and halim (halisa), whose cooking has many mysteries. For example, sumalak is a dish that is cooked from sprouted wheat, flour, and vegetable oil in a large pot. And, surprisingly, in order for sumalak to be saved from burning, stones ar put in the pot. Sumalak is cooked almost all day, from dawn to dusk, without leaving the pot unattended. Only women cook it. While stirring sumalak in the pot, they sing songs and tell stories to each other. Already cooked sumalak turns out incredibly sweet and tasty.
Along with the cooking of sumalak, the preparation of the “male” dish halim takes place. This is a dish of meat and sprouted wheat. It is cooked exclusively by men.
Cooked treats are distributed among all relatives and friends in the morning.
The festive table for Navruz boasts not only beauty and taste, but also benefit. After all, all its dishes contain a huge amount of vitamins that help restoring the balance of the body after winter. Therefore, Navruz may be considered a truly spring holiday!
Navruz is a celebration of hope for the best, kindness, and love. The mystery of the origin of this holiday is hidden from us by the past, and it is of great importance that it has not been lost in the centuries, has reached our days, and may be celebrated by us just like our ancestors used to celebrate it.
Let the times and people change, but the commandment of Navruz will remain unchanged: “[It is necessary] to speak only good words, to do only good deeds, to think only about good, and then the Good will triumph over evil!”