Nowruz in Azerbaijan

Nowruz, also spelled as Novruz, is a historic and cultural festival that marks the Persian New Year and the official beginning of spring. Celebrated on March 20th or 21st, it is one of the most cherished holidays in Azerbaijan.

History

The roots of Nowruz date back over 3,000 years to the ancient Persian Empire. Nowruz means "new day" in Persian and represents the vernal equinox. It has Zoroastrian origins, which was the religion of pre-Islamic Iran. Over time, Nowruz transcended religious contexts and grew into a secular cultural celebration.

Traditions

In Azerbaijan, Nowruz is associated with rich traditions symbolizing rebirth and renewal. Preparations for Nowruz begin four weeks beforehand with each Tuesday dedicated to one of the four elements: water, fire, earth, and wind. These are known as "Su Chershenbesi," "Od Chershenbesi," "Torpag Chershenbesi," and "Akhir Chershenbe" respectively.

• Spring Cleaning: People thoroughly clean their homes to signify a fresh start.
• Bonfires: On the last Tuesday before Nowruz, people light bonfires and jump over them chanting traditional songs.
• Haft-Seen Table: Although more common in Iran, some families in Azerbaijan set up a Haft-Seen table with seven items starting with 'S' (in Farsi), each symbolizing a different hope for the new year.

Festivities

On the day of Nowruz:

1. Public Celebrations: Music, dance performances, and public festivities take place in cities across Azerbaijan.
2. National Dishes: Traditional foods such as pilaf (rice dish), kebabs, stuffed grape leaves (dolma), and sweets like shekerbura (filled pastry) are prepared.
3. Gift-Giving: Families visit each other's homes; it's customary to bring gifts when visiting elders.
4. Games & Sports: Traditional games like egg tapping are played among children while adults may engage in sports like wrestling or horse riding.

The government usually announces several days off around Nowruz for people to celebrate properly. The festivity promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and various communities.