Common Preparations for Nowruz: House Cleaning, New Clothes, and Sweets
In Afghanistan, Nowruz isn’t just the start of a new year, and they celebrate Nowruz with full preparation,here are the traditions that are practiced in kabul,Herat province and mizar e sharif.
Stay tunned with us while we are exploring the amazing traditions of Afghans!
House Cleaning: Leading up to Nowruz, it’s common to give the whole house a good scrub. It’s about sweeping out all the bad energy and making space for good vibes, success, and joy in the coming year.
New Clothes: People also like to wear new clothes to mark the occasion. For most Afghans, wearing something fresh symbolizes a fresh start.
Baking Sweets: And of course, the kitchen is where the magic happens! Afghans love baking traditional sweets like Bosraq, Simian, and Jelawi. These treats aren’t just for snacking; they’re a way of welcoming the new year with warmth and sharing the love.
Haft-Mewa
One of the highlights of Nowruz in Afghanistan is Haft-Mewa. It’s a sweet and savory mix of dried fruits and nuts that has come to symbolize hope, health, and prosperity for the year ahead.
- What’s Haft-Mewa? It’s a colorful dish made from seven different dried fruits and nuts—like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, raisins, and apricots. They’re all soaked in sweet water, and it tastes as good as it sounds. The number seven holds special meaning, as it’s seen as a lucky and holy number in Afghan culture.
- Why is it Important? Each ingredient has its own meaning—health, happiness, and good fortune. Sharing Haft-Mewa with family and friends is a way of wishing everyone well for the year ahead. It’s also a chance to reflect on the past and celebrate what’s to come.
Sofra: The Tablecloth Tradition of Abundance and Blessings
- Setting the Sofra: On the first day of Nowruz, Afghans spread out their Sofra with fruits, nuts, sweets, and candles. For the next ten days, they keep refreshing the Sofra with fresh food, so it always looks full. This is a way of symbolizing that the new year will be full of good things—prosperity, happiness, and light.
- What Goes on the Sofra? You’ll see fruits, Haft-Mewa, eggs, candles, flowers, and even golden coins on the Sofra. Each item has a special meaning—eggs for fertility, candles for light, and flowers for freshness. It’s all about creating an atmosphere of abundance and joy.
Nowruz Celebrations in Herat Province
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, has been celebrated in Herat for centuries, and it’s always a time of joy. As spring arrives, so does the chance for the people of Herat to leave behind the cold winter and dive into the colorful traditions that mark the start of the new year.
First Wednesday of the Year Traditions
The first Wednesday of the year is a time when Herat really comes alive. You can feel the excitement in the air as people start preparing to head out into nature. The parks, like Takht Safar, Bagh Mellat, and Farhang Jangal Park, are full of families enjoying the fresh spring air. It’s all about gathering together, having fun, and making new memories.
- Family Outings: Families spend the day at parks and green spaces, getting away from the hustle. It’s not just about enjoying the outdoors, it’s a celebration of family and togetherness.
- Women’s Garden: For women, the Women’s Garden is a special spot during this time. It’s where they come together, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company, celebrating the spirit of the season.
The 13 Badar Celebration
The 13th day of Nowruz, known as 13 Badar, is an exciting day that Heratis look forward to. It’s one of those days when everyone just drops everything and heads out to enjoy the beauty of nature. The hills, the fields, and the plains around the city become packed with people enjoying picnics, playing games, and making the most of the day.
Tying Green
One tradition that stands out is tying green. People tie green ribbons or threads around their wrists, a symbol of life, prosperity, and growth—just like the green of spring itself.
Special Foods and Games During Nowruz
Let’s talk about food. Nowruz in Herat wouldn’t be the same without its delicious, traditional dishes. The kitchens are buzzing with activity as families prepare favorites like Samanak, a sweet paste made from wheat, which symbolizes abundance and fertility. Alongside this, Bosraq, Simian, and Jelawi are made and shared with everyone. But it’s not just about the food—Nowruz is about the joy of sharing and the warmth of family.
- Boiling and Painting Eggs: One of the fun traditions during Novruz is painting eggs. This tradition isn’t just for kids. Everyone gets involved in painting their eggs and testing them in the classic game of war eggs—where you try to crack each other’s egg while keeping yours safe.
- Godi Paran Bazi: This game is a favorite among the younger crowd. It’s a traditional game ,in which kites are flied and winning team gets reward.
Popular Recreational Spots for Nowruz Celebrations
Here are some famous spots for Herat blessed with beautiful hot springs and parks, families gather there to celebrate these precious moments.
- Obeh Hot Springs: These hot springs are always a go-to destination for families during Nowruz. The warm waters provide a perfect escape from the heat, offering a place for relaxation and fun.
- Sefid Kuh Hot Springs: Just like Obeh, these hot springs are also popular for those looking to kick back and enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere.
- Malan Bridge and Pashtun Bridge: These historic spots offer breathtaking views of Herat’s landscape and ideal for visiting during the holidays.
Nowruz In Kabul
Nowruz in Kabul is celebrated with vibrant traditions, blending family gatherings, public events, and rich cultural customs. Preparations include cleaning homes, buying new clothes, and preparing symbolic foods like Haft-Sin and Haft-Mewa. On the first day of Nowruz, the city witnesses public ceremonies like the Jahanda Bala, where a flag is raised for blessings. Traditional foods such as Samanak, Sheer Korma, and Chak-chak are enjoyed, and outdoor activities include picnics, music, and games in parks like Bagh-e-Babur. People also visit shrines .
Nowruz in Mazar-sharif
Nowruz in Mazar Sharif is like a big wave of energy and life—it’s not just about spring coming around.I’ve been there during Nowruz, and honestly, the vibe is so contagious, you can’t help but get caught up in it.
Jahanda Bala Ceremony
In the ceremony. People gather in huge groups to raise this big flag, and when it finally gets lifted into the air, and there’s something powerful about it.
Ali Shrine
There is always something spiritual that hits while visiting the shrines and mazar sharif. People come together and offer their prayers for coming year.The atmosphere there is so much calm,feels you feel your connection with universe.
Traditional Foods
And the food—wow, can’t forget that! The highlight is definitely samanak, a sweet paste made from wheat.
It symbolizes prosperity, and you just end up sharing it with everyone around. Plus, there’s Bosraq (these crunchy pastries) and Haft-Mewa, which are also delicious .
Games and Public Celebrations
Mazar Sharif’s parks turn into joyful playground during Nowruz. There’s egg-tapping competitions.
Godi Paran Bazi
It is a traditional game played , and everyone there enjoys the games. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old—everyone’s out having fun and forgetting about any stresses for a while.
Tulip Festival
Oh, and don’t forget the tulips! The Red Flower Ceremony is something else. I love these flowers the most .
In short,the nowruz festival is celebrated in afghanistan in most beautiful way ,but due to insecurities and other reasons these celebrations are diminishing.
