Celebrating Navroz, the Persian New Year

There are so many meanings attached to the celebration of Jamshed-e-Navroz, also called Nowruz to all Muslims worldwide, particularly the Shia Muslims. This day, March 21 is a celebration of Navroz, the Persian New Year. It marks the first day in the calendar of Iran, the Shehenshai. It is also the first day of spring and the time for physical rejuvenation, spiritual renewal, expressing gratitude for the blessings received the past year and looking forward to the new year with optimism and hope.

International Day of Nowruz

March 21 was declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Nowruz in 2010. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, during the celebration of this traditional Persian holiday, which also coincided with the first day of spring said that the International Day of Nowruz is a reminder for everyone to cherish planet Earth. The UN Secretary General added that the day gives every people in every nation the opportunity to contemplate nature’s beauty.

The UN Secretary General went on to say that Nowruz is a festival that brings countries closer together. But more than that, with the day being also the first day of spring, it is a sign of renewal, for which people around the world should use as an inspiration to care more and take greater responsibility for the environment.

For more than three thousand years, Nowruz had been celebrated when the sun crosses the Equator and heralds the beginning of spring. And during that span of time, in areas where the traditional holiday is celebrated through various traditions, one bold message stands out – the solidarity of humans. And that, Secretary Ban Ki-moon said, is what it takes to build peace through cultural power.

Translation of the word Navroz

The name comes from a compound Persian word, “nava” meaning “new” and “roz,” which originally translates to “light” but eventually became to mean “day.” The term has several spellings, including Nouruz, Nawroz, Nowruz, Norouz, Naw-Rúz, Nohrooz and Nowroj.

Navroz was a traditional Persian agricultural festival that through the years had been incorporated into religious and cultural traditions. It is a public holiday in several countries, including Iraq, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Afghanistan. Navroz is celebrated in several parts in the Middle East, South Asia and in Central Asia where Turkic and Persian civilizations had an influence.

Ismailis, members of the Shi’ah Muslim communities around the globe will celebrate Navroz, the Persian New Year,  by reciting prayers of devotion such as “mangabas,” “qasidas” and “ginans.” Grains, nuts and fried fruits will be distributed among members, to symbolize sustenance and abundance. This is also a time for family gatherings.

Unique Traditions

Iranians and other Muslims observing Navroz will be cleaning their homes and decorating it with rangolis (kolam). Roses and jasmine flowers are traditional home decorations during this time. These are colorful designs made of colored rice, sand, flower petals or flour. These are placed on the floors of the courtyard and in the living room to welcome sacred deities. Prayers will be offered, at least thrice at the Fire Temple to Khorshed and Meher, the sun and moon deities. Greetings of “Sal Mubarak” are exchanged.

The mood will be festive. On one table it is customary to put a copy of the Gathas, a lighted candle or lamp, a silver coin placed on a small bowl, painted eggs, goldfish in a bowl of water, rosewater, sweets and a shallow ceramic plate with sprouted beans or wheat. All of these are symbols of wealth, prosperity, productivity, happiness, sweetness and color.

Traditional Delicacies

The dinner table will have several Farsi dishes. Drink of the day would be milk flavored with rose essence. This is called “faluda.” Saffron-rich pulao (pilaf) should be served at lunchtime. Ravo is also one dish that is prepared for this special occasion. It is made of fine vermicelli cooked with semolina and sugar syrup, topped with raisins and almond.

Also a must on the dinner table are seven food items starting in “sh” in the Persian language, which includes:

• Sharab or wine
• Shakar or sugar
• Shirin berenjor or sweet meat
• Shir or milk
• Shahad or honey
• Shirin or sweet
• Shira or syrup

Likewise there should be consumables, which start with “s” in the Persian language:

• Seer or garlic
• Sirka or vinegar
• Sumanu or wheat germ pudding
• Sib or apple
• Sumac or spice
• Senjed or sorb tree berry
• Sabzi or green vegetables

Nuts, different seeds, dried fruits as well as fresh fruits are also part of the table decorations. These items all symbolize creation.

Celebrations for Navroz also take place in Toronto, London, Cologne and Los Angeles.