Nowruuz in Iran (2)

Iran is the land of different ethnicities with different customs and traditions. However, events like Nowruz are common among all these ethnicities although there may be differences in details of customs in different regions. In this episode you are going to become familiar with Nowruz customs among other ethnicities.

Turkmens of Iran welcome the coming of new Iranian year with special ceremonies. In the month of Esfand, Turkmens clean and paint their houses, wash carpets buy new clothes, pastries, nuts, rice and oil. Some Turkmens knit black and white strings and put glass beads, wild rue, salt, daaghdaan (a kind of wood which has been sacred among Turkmens since old times) and so on and they put it on the top of the entrance door. They adorn horses with fripperies. Hanging a bell on sheep’s neck is also a sign of coming of Nowruz among Turkmens. On the last Thursday and Friday of the year, Turkmens distribute various things like halva for the dead as they believe that the spirits of the dead come to the houses of their relatives and will be happy if they find their homes clean and feel good smell at their homes. Thus, Turkmens burn incense a few days before Nowruz. Before the turn of the year, women make Samanoo, bread, local pastries and cookies like Bishme, Burek, Qatlaamaa, Patir, Pasiq; and hang two loaves of bread with black and white strings on top of the entrance door as a sign of blessing. At the time of the turn of year, Turkmens open the windows and turn on lights to let spring air come in. Then the elderly of the family recites some ayahs of the Qur’an. On this day, everybody performs ritual washing of body (ghosl), wears new clothes and performs prayer of gratitude. They go to the graveyard and spend money as charity while asking God for a good year.

Baluch people have special customs for Nowruz. They adorn the doors of houses with date leaves. The people of Makran region of Baluchestan plant date saplings on the first day of spring. The grownups give saplings as gifts to the youngsters and children to plant them in farms. It is interesting to know that the person who plants the sapling will be its owner. Baluch people try to hold wedding ceremonies in the days of Nowruz. Therefore, they hold feasts for seven days in which minstrels and singers recite songs and make the audience happy. Poets recite epics of the past and accounts of the past heroes.

Bahaargaahi feast is one of the ceremonies among Baluch people. It is often observed by migrating clans and nomads. This feast is held with the invitation of the elderly of every clan and tribe. Interestingly, if a boy is born in these days he is called Nobruz (Nowruz) while if a girl is born she is called with the name of a flower or plant which usually grows in the region.

Baluch people have a special ceremony for migration from the winter residence. The members of the tribe gather together and recite special song called “Liko” to bid farewell to the place. Then they leave the place with the permission of the elderly of the tribe. And as soon as they reach the summer residence, they recite Liko once again and start setting up tents.

Kurdish people, as a genuine Iranian ethnicity, have their spectacular ceremonies for Nowruz. Kurdish people begin growing wheat, peas, lentil and sesame one month before Nowruz. Kurdish people go to the rooftops and hills around the city and village and burn fire on the eve of Nowruz. Halaawe Malaawe is a joyous custom among Kurds. This ancient custom is performed in the last days of year and children are the main players of it. They go to the houses and knocking at the doors, utter Kurdish words which mean: May your son become a groom and your daughter become a bride. Then the owner of the house gives them a gift. In the old times best gifts were eggs. This custom is still practiced in villages. Kurdish people have other ceremonies for Nowruz which are similar to the customs of Azeri people.

Bakhtiyari people usually begin cleaning of houses two weeks before Nowruz. Like other Iranian ethnicities, they grow seeds of wheat, lentil or vetch. Since they live in green areas, Bakhtiyaris attach great importance to greenery and believe that green sprouts symbolize the start of a blessed year especially in agriculture.

Preparation of toasted wheat is also common among Bakhtiyari people since old times. Bakhtiyaris boil wheat in milk and then spread it on a tray. Then they keep it for Nowruz guests. Toasted rice is also served during Nowruz. Bakhtiyaris spread Haftseen tablecloth before the turn of the year. Bakhtiyari nomads go to greener places as the year turns and set up their tents there. At the time of turning of the year, the elderly of the family or tribe recites holy Qur’an and everybody either recites the Qur’an or looks at it. The father gives paper money to the family members which he has already put inside the pages of Qur’an. This is the sign of blessing. Bakhtiyaris play some games, too.     

RM/ME