Novruz

Novruz sign displayed on the Bulvar.

As an American living in Azerbaijan, a former Soviet state and a Muslim country, I am learning of a new springtime ritual here, Novruz. The locals have explained that it is not religious, but a pagan celebration.

The following was described to the Baku International Women’s Club from a local Azeri:

Novruz is celebrated on the first day of spring. According to some, the holiday dates 3500-5000 years back. Novruz is when nature starts to awaken, and it is honored for an entire month. On each Tuesday a specific element is honored: first Tuesday is water, second Tuesday is fire, third Tuesday is land and the final Tuesday is wind. According to folk belief, the water purifies and stirs. The fire, land and wind make the trees begin to blossom.

Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire, and Novruz also has interesting traditions related to it. The fire is the symbol of purification and clarification. Bonfires are made in Novruz and before the holiday comes, people, despite of age and gender, jump seven times over one, or once over seven bonfires and say, “Give me your redness and take my yellowness.” The fire is never put out by water. It burns down by itself. Young boys and girls take the ash of the fire and throw it far from the house. It is thought that all the mischance of the family is thrown away with the ash.

Azeris pay particular attention to how the table is laid for the holiday. There should be seven varieties of food on the table, the names of which start with letter 'S'. For example sumakh (a kind of spice), sirke (vinegar), sud (milk), samani (grown wheat, looks like grass), sebzi (fried meat with greens). A mirror, with colored eggs and candles placed upon it, should also be on the table. The candle is the symbol of fire and light (keeping a person from damage) and the mirror is the symbol of happiness. According to tradition, all members of the family should be at home on the first day of the holiday. People say, “If you are not at home on the day of the holiday, you will live without home for seven years.”

Interesting stuff, huh? I definitely think so. But, not ones to waste a week-long, government-granted holiday, we will be celebrating Novruz in Thailand. So, happy Novruz everyone! Check back to this blog in a week.

Pictures from the International Women's Club Novruz Luncheon:

Our entertainment, traditional Azeri drummers....

And dancers....

And singers...

And pastries with hand-painted eggs for decoration.