PESHAWAR: Afghan and some local families in and around the provincial capital celebrated the ancient annual festival fondly called Nauroz (first day) here on Wednesday with traditional spirit.

The festival being 3,000 years old has its roots in ancient traditions welcoming the turn of the first day of the Persian calendar that coincided with the advent of spring season.

As usual, a group of poets arranged a trilingual poetry recitation session in Afghan Colony. Poets read out poems in Pashto, Persian and Urdu laden with messages for peace, mutual harmony and hope for a better future. Abid Ghazi, a young poet, chaired the event.

Afghans along with locals celebrated the festival by serving Sofreh Haft Seen, tablecloth decorated with seven different items names of which start with 15th letter (Seen) of Persian alphabets — Seer, Somagh, Serkeh, Senjed, Samanu, Sabez and Sib each symbolising the colours of sunrise, patience, love, affluence, rebirth and beauty.

Roshana Khalil and Siala Khalil, both residents of Peshawar, told this scribe that they had been celebrating Nauroz for the last three decades. “It is a lovely tradition. We enjoy it with our family members and also share photos with our distant cousins on social media,” said the duo.

Shafqat Afghan, a young poet, said that the seven items — garlic, a crushed spices, vinegar, dried fruits, sweet pudding, lentil sprouts and apple — were considered healthy for human and symbolised hope, mutual love, renewal and prosperity with coming of New Year.

“This year the festival fell on March 20. Most Afghans wished Nauroz greetings to their families and friends on social media due to the month of fasting. However, some enthusiasts arranged special iftar parties serving Haft Seen table,” said Jan Wali Mehraban.

He said that the festival also known as Haft Mewa was celebrated in different ways across the world since the immemorial times as the tradition had been reshaped with local cultures but decorating tables with seven different fruits remained almost unchanged.

“Great Pashto poet Khushal Khan Khattak too composed poems and highlighted significance of the ancient festival where people wish greetings, put on new clothes, sing songs and serve guests, relatives and friends with Haft Seen table,” Adam Khan Meena Gul, another Afghan, said.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2024