NowRoz is the traditional Afghan new year holiday which marks the first day of spring.

NowRoz in Afghanistan:

Nowroz festival is traditionally celebrated for 2 weeks. Preparations for Nowroz start several days in advance, at least after Chaar Shambe Suri, the last Wednesday before the New Year. Among various traditions and customs, the most important ones are:

Haft Mewa  

In Afghanistan, they prepare Haft Mewa (Seven Fruits. Haft Mewa is like a Fruit salad made from 7 different Dried fruits, served in their own syrup. The 7 dried fruits are: Raisin, Senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), Pistachio, Hazelnut, Prune (dry fruit of Apricot), Walnut and whether Almond or another species of Plum fruit. 

Samanak

A special type of sweet dish made from wheat germ, which is prepared for Nowroz. Women take a special party for it during the night, and cook it from late in the evening till the daylight, singing related songs. In Afghanistan and Tajikistan they sing Samanak dar Jush o ma Kafcha zanem - Digaran dar Khwab o ma Dafcha zanem.

Click here to see the Samanak video and it tradation in Afghanistan 

Mela-e Gul-e Surkh

The Guli Surkh festival which literally means Red Flower Festival (red Tulip flowers) is an old festival celebrated only in Mazari Sharif during the first 40 days of the year when the Tulip flowers grow. People travel from different parts of the country to Mazar in order to attend the festival. It is celebrated along with the (Jaanda Bala Kardan) ceremony which is a specific religious ceremony performed in the holy blue mosque of Mazar that is believed to be the site of the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph of Islam. The ceremony is performed by raising a special banner (whose color configuration resembles Derafsh Kaviani) in the blue mosque in the first day of year (i.e. Nowroz). The Guli Surkh party continues with other special activities among people in the Tulip fields and around the blue mosque for 40 days.

Family Gathring
People cook special types of dishes for Nowroz, especially on the eve of Nowroz. Normally they cook Sabzi Chalaw, a dish made from rice and spinach, separately. Moreover, the bakeries prepare a special type of cookie, called Kulcha-e Nowrozee, which is only baked for Nowroz. Another dish which is prepared mostly for the Nowroz days is Mahi wa Jelabeei (Fried Fish and Jelabi) and it is the most often meal in picnics. In Afghanistan, it is a common custom among the affianced families that the fiancé's family give presents to or prepare special dishes for the fiancée's family on special occasions such as in the two Eids, Baraat and in Nowroz. Hence, the special dish for Nowroz is Mahee wa Jelabee.

Picnics

The citizens of Kabul go to Istalif, Charikar or other green places around where the Cercis flowers grow. They go for picnic with their families during the first 2 weeks of New Year.

In America Afghan go to Pleasanton Fairgrounds to see their friend and Family

Jashnei Dehqaan

Means The Festival of Farmers. It is celebrated in the first day of year, in which the farmers walk in the cities as a sign of encouragement for the agricultural productions. In recent years, this activity is being performed only in Kabul and other major cities, in which the mayor and other high governmental personalities participate for watching and observing.

Buzkashi

Along with other customs and celebrations, normally a Buzkashi tournament is held. The Buzkashi matches take place in northern cities of Afghanistan and in Kabul.

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