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Nau Roz is one of the important festivals
of Afghanistan. The beginning of Spring
is intimated by the Vernal Equinox
and this is the time when Nau Roz
festival is celebrated in Afghanistan.
The name Nau Roz is derived from Avestan,
meaning "new day/daylight". This traditional
festival of Iran, better known as
the New Year of Afghanistan is usually
celebrated on March 21, lasting for
thirteen days. It also marks the commencement
of the solar calendar of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's most ancient festival
Nau Roz is also acknowledged as "Farmer's
Day". It marks the beginning of the
Persian Calendar that owes its origin
to the solar year.
Nau Roz festival finds its roots
in the rituals and customs of Zoroastrianism,
which had prevailed as a powerful
religious belief even before the arrival
of Islam in Afghanistan. In fact the
festival dates back to the Sasanian
era (224-650 AD) when we find mention
of the festival for the first time.
Not that the festival started then
but there is lack of evidence to show
that the festival had existed before.
Nau Roz is celebrated throughout
Afghanistan with great enthusiasm.
The first day of Nau Roz is celebrated
by gathering around the table by all
family members and waiting for the
precise moment of when Spring begins.
People wear new clothes, exchange
gifts, visit friends, relatives, and
neighbors.
Nau Roz also marks the assembling
of friends and family for various
kinds of activities like participating
in games or going for a picnic. Games
include Buzkashi, Kite-flying and
boiled egg fights. Traditionally,
younger people visit their elders,
and later the elders pay them return
visits. While the visits are brief,
lasting for 30 minutes or so, people
come across other relatives and friends
who are also visiting the house at
that moment. People offer their guests
pastry, cookies, fresh and dried fruits
and special nuts along with tea or
syrup. Many people organize large
parties on the occasion. The celebration
also includes traditional music and
dance. During the festive season,
lavish meals are also cooked of which
Samanak and haft-mehwah deserves special
mention.
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