By Benafsha Nasiri
The Afghan New Year, also known as Nowruz in Afghanistan, marks the arrival of spring and the first day of the year on Afghan’s official calendar. The day falls on the spring or vernal equinox (usually between March 21 to March 22). The Afghan New Year marks a wide range of celebrations and cultural events in Afghanistan.
The Afghan New Year holds great importance for Afghanis, and they consider the day of Nowruz as a symbol of new and fresh life. The beautiful flowers and different plants begin to bloom during this time. Every year, there are cultural events and grand Nowruz celebrations throughout Afghanistan.
In spite of over years of bitter warfare, the Afghans remain proud of their cultures, traditions, and ancient civilization. This pride is shown most drastically in the festivals encompassing the Nawruz or the Afghan New Year on the spring equinox.
Nawruz is a Persian festival which is celebrated by a vast majority of people in Afghanistan. Nawruz marks the first day of Hamal (Farvardin), the first month of the Afghani solar year.
The Afghan New Year is celebrated in Afghanistan with special ceremonies and cultural events in which thousands of people energetically welcome the beginning of a new year with feasting, dancing, singing, and picnics.
Afghan New Year is all about welcoming New Year, celebrating the arrival of spring, enjoying the rebirth and revival of nature, and forgetting all the past misfortunes and starting a fresh new life.
The celebrations for Nowruz in Afghanistan, starting in early March or at least two weeks before the actual date with a thorough house cleaning, known as khane tekani. Dirty rugs are washed, the walls are painted new, windows and curtains are cleaned, and old furniture is repaired. Cleaning your house well before celebrating Nowruz, is a common new year tradition in Afghanistan and Iran.
In Afghanistan, an important custom on the Afghan New Year is preparing Haft-Mewa which means seven fruits. It is a blend of seven sorts of dried fruits soaked in water for a couple of nights and afterward separated on the New year’s day. The dry fruit includes walnuts, almonds, dates, raisins, pistachio, and prune. After being combined and soaked for a night or two the fruits are served alongside their tasty syrup on the day of Nowruz. Welcoming guests with a tasty treat of Haft-Mewa is a common Afghan New Year tradition.
Here are some beautiful Afghan New Year wishes, greetings, and messages that you can share with your loved ones this Nowruz in Afghanistan. Let’s share the joy with others this holiday season and celebrate Afghan New Year in style!
• New is the year, new are the expectations, new are the goals, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes only for you. Have a promising and happy Afghan New Year!
• New Expectations, New Designs, New Endeavors, New Emotions, New Duty. Welcome, with a new Frame of mind. Happy Afghan New Year!
• Wishing you a happy Nowruz season and continued achievement in the new year. Happy Nawruz Afghanistan!
• Wishing all my loved ones a happy Afghan New Year loaded with harmony, laughter, prosperity, and wellbeing.
Benafsha’s children celebrating Nowruz, a table with the traditional dish of Haft-Mewa, fruit and chocolate in front of them!
