Ramin Naziyev, Baku. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Nowruz is not a Muslim holiday. Since ancient times various nations have celebrated it, and only centuries after Azerbaijanis adopted Islam. All Islamic holidays are celebrated in different years on different days, while Nowruz Bairam is celebrated according to the solar calendar. It is celebrated every year on one and the same day – the Day of the spring equinox.
Nizami Gyandzhevi wrote about the existence of the holiday in “Iskendarnam” and Omar Khayyam in “Nowruznam.” In “Hamsa” (five major poems) Nizami said that Nowruz was celebrated in 350 B.C. Khayyam wrote in “Nowruznam”: “The main reason for appearance of Howruz holiday was that the sun after 365 days and 6 hours encircled and returned to its place.”
One of the stages of preparation for the holiday is the day “akhyr chershenbe akhshamy.” It is the last Tuesday before the holiday. This night each family should fire as much torches as the number of family members. Fires are made, and all family members should jump over a burning fire and say: “All my troubles to you and your joy to me.”
Before darkness come Azerbaijani girls and boys go to doors of neighbors and listen to their talks, and then, depending on what was said, they make a conclusion whether their desires will come true or not. Children knock at neighboring houses, put hats or small bags on a porch and hide. Hosts of the houses should fill hats with sweets.
From ancient times nobody worked in Nowruz for six days, even farmers. These days were devoted to joy, and the traditions are kept today.
Usually people wake up early in Nowruz. They wash up and try to shower each other with spray because it is a symbol of cleanness and freshness. In the morning one should eat something sweet and smell fragrant smoke. Pilaw must be on the holiday table. Each family serves table and remember that there must be dishes which titles begin from “s”: sumakh, syud (milk), sirke (vinegar), semeni (wheat porridge), sabzi (greens).
A mirror, a candle, and a colored egg are put on table. A candle is a symbol of light and fire which protects a person from bad fairies. In myths of many nations the Earth is held on horns of a giant bull. By the end of the year the bull gets tired and shifts the Earth from one horn to another, after this New Year comes. Azerbaijanis place a colored egg and a mirror on table. When an egg sways, the bull shifts the Earth and New Year comes. Everybody who sees swaying egg in a mirror congratulates each other, kisses and holds each other and whishes all the best.
Nowruz is a state holiday in Azerbaijan and is widely celebrated at an official level.
