History testifies that human anthropological order revolves round naturally imposed climatic and environmental conditions. Little wonder then that most ancient cultures had their beliefs and social orders organised around seasonal changes. This link with the climate and the environment is well documented, as can be evidenced by ancient religions, too, including those in ancient Greece, India, China and Egypt, for instance.
If one looks at Zoroastrianism, a similar link between climate and social organisation can be found. What can be more evident of this relationship than the fact that the Zoroastrian new year is based on the arrival of spring which is also known as Nauroz or ‘Noruz’, literary translated into ‘new day’.
It is celebrated by the Parsi community in Pakistan, and in most Persian-influenced societies, like Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. This is a festive season marked by the arrival of spring on the vernal equinox, when the sun crosses the celestial equator, which usually occurs on around this day of year. In Iran the Nauroz festivities continue for 13 days!
A peculiarity of Nauroz is the absence of a straitjacketed religious institution which regulates the rites of this tradition, and hence, its rituals vary with geo-cultural context. Most Parsis in Pakistan had migrated from Persia to Indian Gujarat and Bombay; as such, their traditions and rituals are not an exact replica of the Parsis left behind in Iran.
Most of Nauroz traditional festivities are now deeply integrated with the local culture and celebration of the ceremonies is not exclusively restricted to the Parsi community, but also other cultural enthusiasts and friends of the community alike. The Hazara community of Balochistan and many others elsewhere, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also observe the Nauroz traditions.
However, being an important event on the Zoroastrian calendar, the Parsi community prepares for it with as much enthusiasm and labour as Christmas or Eid. Shopping and exchange of gifts, new clothes, dresses, sweets and delicacies are integral to the ceremonies.
An important food tradition at Nauroz is the preparation of a haft seen table (which translates into the table of seven S’s), where a table of conventional food is prepared and all these dished have a symbolic meaning and mostly representing the past year and coming of the new one, whereby new year is blessed with hope and optimism of good fortune to come.
Nauroz rituals are equally breathtaking and involve a number of social practices. On new year’s eve, it is customary to jump fire, a tradition known as Chahar Shanbe Suri. This ritual symbolises repenting of one’s sins of the past year and ushering in a new beginning. During this ceremony it is common to find people dancing and singing. Many others pray for their wishes to come true.
Experiencing the Nauroz ceremonies surpasses expectations, and it is utterly delightful watching so many well-dressed people indulge in banter and laughter. This is accompanied by traditional food and sweets which is simply a treat for the gustatory senses; the aesthetic beauty of the event is illuminating with bonfire and candles lit everywhere.
Indeed, the occasion celebrates spring with the spirit of rejuvenation and reinvigoration which the season signifies. —Sachal Abbassi
