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Nowruz, also spelled as Navruz or Norooz, is an ancient festival marking the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21. In Uzbekistan, Nowruz is a public holiday and one of the most cherished festivities.
The history of Nowruz dates back over 3,000 years to Zoroastrianism, which was a major religion in the region long before the advent of Islam. This holiday symbolizes the rebirth of nature and is infused with traditional rituals that are deeply rooted in the culture and national identity of Uzbeks.
Traditional customs during Nowruz include:
Preparations: People start by cleaning their homes, preparing festive meals, and buying new clothes. It's a time for settling old debts and starting fresh.
Sumalak: Making sumalak is a central tradition; it's a sweet paste made from germinated wheat and flour, cooked overnight. Communities often come together to stir this dish while singing traditional songs.
Haft-Mewa: Similar to Iran's Haft-Seen, Uzbeks prepare Haft-Mewa—a dessert consisting of seven dried fruits and nuts symbolizing life and fertility.
Festivities: These include folk music performances, dancing, playing traditional games like kupkari (a horseback competition), wrestling matches, and various street performances.
On Nowruz, people visit family members and friends to exchange gifts and good wishes. They wear their new clothes symbolizing a fresh start. Festive tables are laden with various dishes that include pilaf (plov), samsas (samosas), shurpa (soup), kebabs, and other regional specialties.
Public celebrations are vibrant with markets selling crafts, textiles, food stalls offering national delicacies, concerts featuring Uzbek music, dance shows displaying colorful national costumes, puppetry for children among other cultural displays that showcase Uzbek heritage.
Nowruz serves as an opportunity for Uzbeks to display hospitality towards guests with lavish spreads reflecting abundance and prosperity hoped for in the coming year. It's a time when communities bond over shared traditions while embracing spring’s renewal.