The way God has given me Eid and Nauroz forevermore
The flowers give the birds of my heart bliss and joy galore
| کہ نس دن عید ہور نوروز منج کوں نت خدا دیتا مرے دل مرغ کی خاطر پھولاں عشرت نوا دیت |
Nowruz is deeply rooted with persian or iranian people, it is the day when new year begins and the people celebrate the new years blessings,
History of Nowruz in Iran
In Iran the nowruz was considered haram,from the religious point of view,due to its roots in Zoroastrianism.
Al-Gjazali, the greatest jurist,never regarded the nature of nowruz taboo but he declared it haram due to its connection with Zoroastrian rites.
With the efforts of Umar ibn Khayyam, solar calendar-was developed during the Seljuk era and consequently Nowruz was celebrated right at the beginning of spring.
Nowruz Celebrated By Muslims?
Eid Ghadir, also called Eidullah Akbar (the Great Eid) by Shiites, was thought to happen on the same day as Nowruz.
It is also said that the day Ali ibn Abi Talib became caliph of Muslims on same date of Nowruz. Over time, different sayings (hadiths) were shared to show the importance of Nowruz. These helped Nowruz gain a special place in religion and culture.
Nowruz bread and sweets:Start of Nowruz preperations
In the villages, Halva and Nowruz breads are baked.
Nowruz homemade sweets are usually baked with
rice flour in the plain areas and it is baked with wheat
flour in the mountain areas. Nowruz breads usually
include: Komaj, Kholfa Noon, Bapote Lasse Noon (rice
bread) and Tamijan. ( Source: Eco heritage journal)
Pre-Nowruz celebrations In Gilan Province
In early March, Gilan marks the start of its pre-Nowruz celebrations with unique and lively traditions. These include street performances featuring bears, fireworks displays, and reciting poems that complement each act. Small groups of 5 to 6 performers visit villages, singing joyful songs and dancing near homes. As a token of gratitude, homeowners reward them with money or food, creating a festive and warm atmosphere.
Nowruz Khani (Singing for Nowruz)
Nowruz Khani is a joyful tradition meant to announce the arrival of spring and the New Year. It is carried out by performers known as Nowruz Nousal, beginning on the first of March and continuing until the last Wednesday night of the year, celebrated as Chaharshanbe Suri.
The songs of Nowruz Khani are sung in both Gilaki and Persian, or sometimes a mix of the two. These poetic verses celebrate the New Year, praise God, describe the beauty of spring and nature, and share wishes for joy, blessings, and good fortune for families. They also honor respected members of the community.
Giving gifts to Cole Barkesh
In the past, people gave gifts to the Nowruz Khans, including rice, eggs, clothing, wheat, sugar, or tea, which were divided among the group at the end of the night.
After receiving these gifts, the Cole Barkesh (the person responsible for carrying the gifts) would give each family a boxwood branch as a token of happiness and renewal. This branch was never discarded but kept as a symbol of blessing.
Rabechereh is a traditional play that takes place in the weeks leading up to Nowruz, usually from mid-March until the New Year. It celebrates the arrival of spring, the renewal of life, and the return of the sun, all symbolized by a deer.
The play involves four main roles
- A person playing the deer.
- A grazing deer.
- Kol Barkesh (the person carrying the props).
- A co-singer who adds music and rhythm to the performance.
The group visits homes after sunset, performing this lively play that combines singing, dancing, and storytelling. It brings joy and excitement wherever it’s shown.
The Story of Rabechereh
The story of Rabechereh is about Pir Baba, an old man who lives in the forest. As Nowruz approaches, a Giant appears, kidnaps the Bride from Pir Baba’s home, and takes her to his cave.
The Bride represents spring’s fresh energy, Pir Baba stands for the wisdom and experiences of the past year, and the Giant represents the struggles and harshness of winter.
The turning point in the play comes when the deer sacrifices itself. The audience “brings it back to life” with gifts, symbolizing the rebirth of nature after the cold winter.
Preparations for Chaharshanbe Suri
On the day or night of Wednesday, the markets are filled with people buying items like mirrors, wooden combs, Espand (harmel), pottery, and nuts. This is also a time for renewal—anything that represents ugliness or age is thrown away, and old pottery is broken and replaced with new ones.
The Fire Ceremony
In the evening, seven piles of dried straw are typically set on fire in open spaces or yards. Everyone takes turns jumping over the fire, hoping to purify themselves. The ashes from these fires are considered valuable and are often scattered in fields, gardens, and around trees to ward off pests and strengthen the soil.
Lights and Water for Blessing
Along with the fire, lanterns are lit in every room of the house, and these lights are kept burning until Sizdah Bedar (the 13th of Farvardin).
People also draw water from a well on Wednesday, which is kept until Sizdah Bedar. This water is believed to bring blessings, and it’s thought that bathing in it will help ward off diseases.
Chaharshanbe Suri is a joyful and meaningful celebration, full of rituals aimed at cleansing, renewal, and preparing for the new year.
The Haft-sin Table
In Gilan, the Haft-sin table is a cherished part of Nowruz celebrations, symbolizing renewal and blessings. It includes,
- Holy Quran
- Mirror and lamp
- Growing greens and fresh flowers
- Water, bread, sweets, rice, and fruits
- Esfand (wild rue), sumac (Somaq), Samanu (sweet wheat pudding), and colored eggs
- Coins and a live fish
Traditionally, the number of eggs on the table must match the number of family members, as having fewer is believed to bring bad luck. In the past, henna was also included and used to decorate hands after the New Year began.
Water Ritual
Families drink and sprinkle fresh water around the house, saying, “Go old and come new,” to bring health and fresh beginnings.
Family Time
Everyone gathers around the Haft-sin table to stay united and avoid separation in the coming year.
Awake at Midnight
Staying awake at the exact moment of the New Year ( tehvil sal e No) symbolizes alertness and energy for the year ahead, while sleeping during this time is thought to cause laziness.
The first meal of the New Year is simple and symbolic: a meatless vegetable stew served with smoked or roasted fish, representing purity and renewal.
Khone Pazani: A House Blessing Tradition
In eastern Gilan, Khone Pazani is a beloved ritual where a kind, well-wishing person enters the home with a Quran and a small jug of water. They walk through the rooms, blessing the space and wishing the family a long, prosperous, and happy life.
The white Lamb Tradition
A white lamb, considered a symbol of innocence and prosperity, is part of the celebration. Decorated with flowers and a handkerchief tied around its neck, the lamb is brought to villagers’ homes after the New Year. People place eggs or money into its handkerchief, believing the lamb’s presence brings good luck for the year ahead.
Egg Games: Morghone Jang
A favorite Nowruz pastime is Morghone Jang, or egg battles. Players hold eggs and tap them against each other to see whose egg remains unbroken. The winner gets to keep the broken egg as a prize.
Sizdah Bedar
On the 13th of Farvardin, people in Gilan celebrate Sizdah Bedar by heading outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature. Families, friends, and neighbors gather in picturesque spots, sharing food, laughter.
- Sprouted greens from the Haft-sin table are tossed into rivers or left out for birds, welcoming new year.
- Small fishes are returned to water, showing kindness.
- One of the sign of good fortune is to throw 13 pebbles into the river.
Conclusion
Iran is where the tradition of the Nowruz started, the tradition involve the foods, Nowruz khani, Giving gifts to nowruz khan, white lamb tradition, Pizzan khani and much more. Irani people are grounded to their traditions.
