Norus – March 21st
Norus is also known as: Noorus, Noruz, Nowruz, Nawruz, Navrus, Norouz … it is a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan.
The history of Norus goes back a long way, to ancient Iran – where it is still considered the Iranian New Year festival. As well as being celebrated in Iran, the festival is marked over Central Asia.
Norus is, perhaps, the most lasting contribution made by Zoroasterism – although it could also be based on an earlier Persian ten-day festival which took place at the end of the solar year. It is referred to in writings of the Greek historian and geographer, Strabonus, (who apparently referred to it as having been celebrated “from ancient times” … even in his day), and in the seventh century Chinese “Chronicles of the Tan Dynasty”.
It is sometimes said that Norus is the Muslim equivalent of New Year. This is a mistake.
The Muslim calendar is based on a purely lunar calendar rather than a solar calendar on which the Gregorian calendar is based – and therefore the “New Year” is a moveable feast which takes place about 11 days earlier each year (by the traditional reckoning according to the Gregorian Calendar). The festival of Norus, however, is held on the same date every year – March 21st – the day of the vernal equinox –, when the sun passes over the equator dividing day and night into two equal, 12 hour, parts. In ancient times this marked the New Year (the beginning of the solar year) in many cultures – hence the association with New Year.
The association with Islam may seem strange because the original festival was basically a ‘pagan’ one, and the Arabian conquerors of Central Asia attempted to ban the holiday – considering that it was not consistent with orthodox Islam.
There have been other attempts to ban the holiday – for example, under the Bolsheviks, shortly after the revolution.
Although traditionally Norus ceremonies are symbolic representations associated with “New Beginnings” – in keeping with the idea of New Year – there are also associations with the battle between Good and Evil as told in many special myths and legends.
One feature of the celebrations is the “sumalaq” – a special ritual meal, which is prepared only at this time of year. It takes a whole day to prepare and cook, and the process has a series of traditions, songs, dances and general merry-making. The main dish is made from flour and sprouts of newly grown wheat. It is cooked in large pots – with stones in the bottom to help prevent the mix from being burnt. There is a local tradition, that if you find one of these small stones in your dish – it is a sign of good fortune for the year to come.
In Iran, there are many other customs associated with Norus – as a feast of renewal and freshness, Norus is a time to visit relatives, friends and pay respect to the older members of the family; a thorough cleaning of the house; a special table is set with the seven “S”s (In ancient times each of the items corresponded to one of the seven creations and the seven holy immortals protecting them. Today they are changed and modified but some have kept their symbolism.); and all kinds of foods and delicacies are prepared.
In the past, Norus was a major holiday, but in the last century it almost disappeared. By the 1960′s, under the Soviet Union, the older generation had ceased to celebrate and many of the younger generation knew nothing about the celebrations. Interest in Kyrgyz traditional Kyrgyz lifestyle was increasing, however, and towards the end of the 1980′s interest had increased substantially and finally on 5th February 1991 a new law was passed – “On the Establishment on the Public Holiday Noruz” - and the day became an official holiday.
In Kyrgyzstan:
Norus is a public holiday, but marked without the symbolic rituals and practices which are common in Iran. Sometimes, however, it is possible to come across specially organized festivals – giving a taste of the special flavour of Central Asia.
This year, for example, according to the City Hall press service in the old Central Square there will be sporting events and various competitions/contests and demonstrations by sportsmen. Near the Kurmanjan Datka monument, on Prospect Erkindik. there will be a gala concert, an exhibition of children’s craft work and a book fair. In addition, concerts and parties are being organized in various parks and recreation areas, such as Attaturk park in Southern Bishkek, Panfilov Park and Fuchik in the centre, and also in several of the residential districts. In the evening there will be a concert featuring Kyrgyz singers and amateur folklore groups. As usual, equestrian sports events will be staged at the Hippodrome racetrack .
Many of the central streets and main government buildings are being decorated for the holiday, (at some considerable expense), and, assuming that the weather holds good, many of the city’s population are expected to simply “goolaiyet” – stroll around the city center, “soaking up the atmosphere”.
Usually the President makes an address to the nation. The days leading up to the holiday are a time of spring cleaning and planting to make everywhere clean and bright for the festivities.
Both the Kyrgyz and Kazakhs will fumigate their homes with smoke from burning archa (juniper) twigs – the smoke is said to drive away evil malicious spirits.
Because the Norus holiday is only a few days earlier than the Peoples’ Revolution Day (March 24th), and these two days are official holidays and non-working days, it is possible that some people will take some of their annual leave entitlement during period the period from March 21st to March 24th to make a longer break, meaning that some businesses and offices may either close or offer restricted services. However, most shops, restaurants and banks and so forth will be open.
Bishkek