The word "Nowruz" is a compound
of two Persian words, "now" which has the same etymology as the English word
"new" and means new, and the word "ruz" which means both "day" and "time. “It is
the oldest of Iranian traditions but it is not national, ethnic or religious
celebration but nowruz is also celebrated in Pakistan and central Asian
countries like Tajikistan, Dushanbe ,Turkish Iranians ,Zoroastrian etc.it is
basically the celebration of Persian New Year. The word nowruz creates a
colorful celebration among Iranians .in Iran preparations for nowruz begins in
early march by sprouting of wheat or barley seeds .people clean their homes and
yards. After cleaning process nowruz shopping begins and families go for
shopping. To engage children in celebrations family gatherings are also
observed. Though in Pakistan tis festival is not celebrated similarly as
celebrated in Iran but people of Shia and Ismailia community celebrate the
festival by wearing new clothes, making delicious food and sweets. People visit
relatives and distribute sweets among children. Girls throw ropes over large
trees to make swings and play songs. Men do gatherings for future planning’s
about agriculture and farming. In Iran there is a character called haji firuz
wearing red dress and black face who plays music and songs in streets and people
watch him gather around and dance. Also they shower with coins and paper money.
The actual ceremony begins at the last Wednesday of the outgoing year that
Wednesday is called red Wednesday and several bonfires are made. Every member of
the family jumps over the fire and says “give me your redness and take away my
wintry sallow complexion. The jumping over fire is followed by distribution of
nuts and fruits. There is another celebration called, Gereh Gushai Those who
have encountered problems for which there has been no solution often stop the
first passerby crossing their path and ask him or her to undo a knot they have
tied in a shirt tale. The willingness or unwillingness of the strange passerby
to undo the knot is an omen for the resolution of the problem in the coming
year. Shab-i Jo'e, The dinner for the Thursday before Nowruz must include pilau
and chicken. Fulfilling this ritual would assure a similar dinner at least once
in a week for the entire duration of the coming year. This year Nowruz, a
festival that heralds the arrival of the spring season in the Persian world, was
celebrated by the Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional
Heritage). The event was designed to share understanding of the Iranian culture
with the Pakistani people.The Iranian Embassy’s cultural consulate in
collaboration with Lok Virsa and the Ministry of National Heritage and
Integration is holding a two-day festival marking Nowruz from 26-27 March. The
opening ceremony was held at the National Heritage Museum on Monday. Federal
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was the chief guest.
Inaugurating the festival, she said: “Pakistan and Iran enjoy very cordial
relations. I am proud to join the celebrations for this centuries-old festival.
“I would like to felicitate the Iranian government and people on behalf of the
government and people of Pakistan. Pakistan and Iran share great similarities in
culture, some glimpses of which are seen at the National Heritage Museum.”