Iranian Heritage in Danger (VIII): Nowruz Festival [Persian calendar]

This post intends to focus on Persian Calendar. Registered on national heritage and the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list, Nowruz celebration, is the most extremely important festival in Iran. Nowruz has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. Nowruz is partly rooted in the tradition of Iranian religions, such as Mitraism and Zoroastrianism. In Mitraism, festivals had a deep linkage with the sun's light. The Iranian festivals such as Mehrgan (autumnal equinox), Tirgan, and the eve of Chelleye Zemestan (winter solstice) also had an origin in the Sun god (Surya). Among other ideas, Zoroastrianism is the first monotheistic religion that emphasizes broad concepts such as the corresponding work of good and evil in the world, and the connection of humans to nature. Zoroastrian practices were dominant for much of the history of ancient Iran. Nowruz celebration commences from the first day of spring, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar (Farvardin) and it goes for 13 days, in these days flowers are bursting into bloom.

Blossom and beautiful nature can be seen in that time. Today the festival of Nowruz is celebrated in Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Nowruz is the traditional Iranian festival of spring which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring. It is considered as the start of the New Year among Iranians. 

The name comes from Avestan meaning "new day/daylight". Nowruz is celebrated in March 20/21 each year, at the time the sun enters arise and spring begins. Our oldest records of Nowruz go back to the Arsacid/Parthian times (247 BC-224 AD). There are specific references to the celebration of Nowruz during the reign of Arsacid Emperor Vologases I (51-78 AD). After the accession of Ardashir I Babakan, the founder of the Sasanian dynasty (224 AD), consistent data for the celebration of Nowruz were recorded. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Iran was the only country that officially observed the ceremonies of Nowruz. When the Caucasian and Central Asian countries gained independence from the Soviets, they also declared Nowruz as a national holiday. 

Typically, in the first day People clean their home, wear new colorful dresses, family members gather around a table to observe ritual, with the Haft Seen set on it, and wait the exact moment of the March equinox to celebrate the New Year. At that time, people read holy book, recite poems from some of ancient poets like Hafez and New Year gifts are exchanged. Long established traditions hold that younger people should pay a visit to the older generation. There are tremendous excitements during holding festival. The Haft Seen setting includes seven special items starting with the letter “S” in the Persian alphabet. The items include: 

• Greenery (sabze): Wheat, barley or lentil sprouts grown to symbolize rebirth 

• Samanu: A sweet pudding made from germinated wheat for the sweetness of life 

• Sumac berries (somāq) to reflect the color of the sunrise 

• Senjed: The dried fruit of the Lotus tree for love 

• Garlic (sir) for medicine and good health 

• Apples (sib) for health and beauty 

• Vinegar (serke) to symbolize patience and age 

Other symbolic items which are usually set along the Haft Seen are candles, a mirror, decorating coins, and decorated eggs (one for each member of the family). A bowl of water with red fish, a holy book (The Avesta or sacred Quran), poetry book (Divan of Hafez), are included to the setting. The usual and common food which has been cooked by house wife in the first day of Nowruz is steamed rice with fish. Nuts, chocolates, sweets and above all fresh fruits such as strawberry, apple, orange, apricot and banana are provided for serving. 

In these holidays people have some activities such as going on a picnic, watching at funny movies, traveling, visiting relatives and donating gifts. In Iran, the Nowruz holidays last thirteen days. On the thirteenth day of the New Year, Iranians leave their houses to join nature and picnic outdoors, as part of the Sizdebedar ceremony. On the day of Sizdahbedar, the greenery grown for the Haft Seen setting is thrown away, particularly into running water. It is also customary for young single people, especially young girls, to tie the leaves of the greenery before discarding it, expressing a wish to find a partner. 

This festival not only introduces the ancient habits and customs but also protects traditional ritual and manners. I highly hold firmly on the fact that, Iranian should make every their effort to do their part in holding this celebration, But today’s Iranian cultural heritages especial ancient rituals are at risk due to several factors. 

It is clear that, the value of things changes with time and circumstance. Following the 1979 Revolution, some radical elements from the Islamic government attempted to suppress Nowruz, but failed to do so. They considered Nowruz a pagan holiday and a distraction from Islamic holidays. But now political leaders have been making annual Nowruz speeches for years. 

Furthermore, modern society gradually has been changed these rituals and traditions. Although the technology is changing the world and there are many different kinds of atmospheres attracts families to change their gatherings which have lost the original properties that our ancestors have planned and implemented, and of course these developments are more numerous in metropolises and cities. The holding of these ceremonies in villages has maintained its authenticity. 

The management of urban cultural processes is needed. We cannot leave any phenomenon in cultural heritage, especially more important cultural rituals, to see what happens spontaneously. On the contrary, we should be able to use them to better the state of the society with a deep understanding of the cultural processes in the national, political, religious, religious, and other areas. Cultural management in the new societies plays a key role preserving cultural heritages. 

The most common deal with Nowruz and we must go to the solution sooner is the long holidays of this celebration, and requires a lot of studies in relation to holiday vacations in the country. In so doing, Promotion and development of academic education in the conservation of cultural heritage (EAT) is needed. 

At last but not the least, organize regular national conferences on conservation of cultural heritages and holding academic workshops as well as on the history of rituals to give an exact view of root of them to the future generations are serious affair.

Iranian Heritage in Danger is a post series by UCM doctoral student Ghazal Nouri.