Navroz

By: Davlatnazarov Davlatnazar

Navroz is considered one of the first holidays of spring and marks the beginning of the New Year for Persians and Turks. The word “Navroz” comes from Persian, meaning “new day.” In Central Asia and Iran, Navroz is usually celebrated on March 21st. Navroz itself marks the start of the northern hemisphere’s spring and begins at the equinox.

Some believe that the arrival of spring is in harmony with nature, and they celebrate the start of the New Year accordingly. Navroz has been celebrated for many years, featuring various games, dances, storytelling, and, most importantly, the making of sumalak, a traditional dish.

With the arrival of spring, greenery begins to flourish. It’s known that during spring, various dishes like greens, sprouts, and special sweets such as ko’ksomsa, ko’kmanti, and ko’kbarak are served in all households. The highlight of Navroz is the preparation of sumalak.

Making sumalak involves gathering wheat and boiling it until it thickens, which is said to attract angels who bless the dish. Despite my involvement in many sumalak-making processes, I’ve never encountered such a phenomenon. Navroz is widely celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and many other countries. Local dances are performed in all regions, often in groups.

In Azerbaijan and Turkey, examples include “Kusa, Kusa Khan” and in Iran “Kusex Galin” and “Xan Bazi,” and in Uzbekistan “Bahor Khanim,” “Navro’z Baba,” and “Dehqon Baba.” Additionally, there are traditional games such as wrestling, tug-of-war, and various other entertainments.

Craftsmen display their handmade pottery, and jewelers exhibit their crafted goods. Overall, Navroz is a celebration deeply rooted in tradition, where various games and dances reflect our cultural heritage.

In 2009, Navroz was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on February 23, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as “International Navroz Day” during its 64th session. This holiday continues to be widely celebrated among different cultures.

Muhammad Rizo Erniyozbek Ogahiy beautifully captures the essence of Navroz in his poem:

“Fayz, nishat, and aysh come together,

Bringing joy to the land, it’s Navroz.”

These lines signify how Navroz brings prosperity, happiness, and joy, making the land rejoices. Ogahiy’s poems often depict Navroz with unique descriptions.

Navroz has been celebrated on a large scale in the years following independence. Since 1991, Navroz has been elevated to the status of a national holiday. As Navroz approaches our country, let us all celebrate this joyous occasion.