Norooz Propagated to the
Remotest Parts of the World via Persian Gulf by Anonymous
Norooz, as ancient as Iranian history,
is the greatest symbol of the and cultural identity of our
nation which has gallantly
outlived all adversities and adversaries. Differing only
slightly from area to area, under the influence of local
norms and moralities, Norooz ceremonies are observed in much
the same way. The main characteristics of Norooz, such as
feasting, friendly visits, giving and receiving gifts, wearing
new dress, arranging the "Sofreh Haft Seen" (a
special piece of cloth normally of the highest quality on
which in addition to a mirror, are put 7 certain items whose
names start with the letter sounding as "S" in
English ), opening the gates of hearts to happiness, are
the strong strings which bind Iranians, from the southern
coasts of Persian Gulf to the shores of Capstan Sea, to this
feast which is lovingly observed.  Norooz, starting from 21st March until 2nd of April, is
an all encompassing national ceremony which Iranians have
always felt emotionally compelled to observe. However,
this ancient custom which has in the course of history
faced many troubles, has had a specially tragic history
in the southern coasts of Iran, where, after each dark
era, the people have always redeemed its glory.
Without any doubt, the bitterest animosity with Norooz
came from Baghdad, the capital of the Caliphs of Ommiad
dynasty, who using Islam as their means of retaining power.
Historical evidence indicates that the religion of Islam
had many conflicts with Norooz which was considered as
a non-Islamic celebration and behavior, but in most parts
of Iran it was observed in secret by Iranians; later Norooz
was glorified by Alavites as a worthy ceremony. Islamic
Caliphs, with their characteristic racist zeal prohibited
all Iranian feasts and customs. This prohibition forced
Iranians to present gifts to the greedy agents of the caliph
to gain the permission to celebrate Norooz. Giving gifts,
the bulk of which were transferred to the treasuries of
the caliphs, became a regular practice through which the
people of Iran the coastal areas had to present to the
caliph's court, their most precious belongings like, musk,
ambergris, gold, silver, cashmere, silk, and valuable pieces
of cloth as an official tax, but under the pretence of
gifts.
Revival of Norooz
Abu Muslim Khorasani,
not only abolished this practice in the era of Abbassid
caliphs, but reversed the process
by forcing them to hand out gifts to the artisans and
poets during the Iranian feasts and specially Norooz.
The history of observance and respect for Norooz by
Arabs, started in Khozestan during the Abbassid caliphs.
It
was from that era that the word Nirooz became customary
in Arab lands. Diffusion
of Iranian culture
Norooz found
its way to other lands through Persian Gulf
and the Oman Sea sailors and merchants. The Timurid princes
who went to India in 18th century, celebrated Norooz
with great pomp and ceremony. It was also through this
very same route that Norooz entered Arab lands and even
the Abbassid royal court. Egyptian Copts who consider
Norooz the first day of the new year, picnic in gardens,
meadows and grasslands. They have acquired this tradition
from sailors. They call the Norooz day , "Shamm
al Nassim" (scenting the zephyr). Apart from this,
the barges traveling on Arvand Rood used to celebrate
Norooz hanging beautiful stings of lights the beauty
of which was doubled by their reflections on the water. Burning shrubs was a characteristic of Norooz observed
in Baghdad and all southern coastal areas of the Persian
Gulf.
Even now, if not in Baghdad, it is practiced in the coastal
areas of the Persian Gulf. The Barez tribe of Kerman, the
Qashqaie tribe of Fars, along with other southern tribes
burn shrubs and dance round the fire in Norooz and other
feasts. Choobi dance, Sareban dance, and shepherd boys'
dance are still practiced in Baluchestan and Bushehr. In
Sistan, on Norooz eve young Sistani girls sing around the
Hamoon Lake. The No-Rooz ceremonies in Sistan are quite
unique. But in recent decades, the economic and cultural
problems have relegated them to marginal rank.
Precocious spring and
Samanoo Pazan ceremonies
The southern parts
of the country being warmer, the spring
arrives much sooner. The palm orchards, plains and
meadows turn emerald green. The people start preparing
themselves
for the arrival of Norooz earlier than their other
compatriots by obtaining new cloths, repairing and cleaning
their
homes, resurfacing the roof tops. Those who have dear
ones away from them, or, expect Norooz guests in Norooz
holidays, prepare themselves to welcome them by washing
the carpets, the bedding and making arrangements for
their guests to assure a pleasant stay for them. Within
their means, they paint the walls and the doors, and
above all, they dust the misunderstandings and conflicts
away from their hearts. Then they await Norooz, counting
the days down. One specially local practice in this region is Samanoo
Pazan (cooking a kind of sweet thick soup from wheat).
Apart from the wheat that they grow on plates as a symbol
of greenness, they soak wheat and as soon as the seed,
germinate, they cut it into small portions to be beaten
in mortars. Mixed with wheat flour, wall nuts or almonds,
this is then poured in big cauldrons and left to boil.
On the special night of making the Samanoo, or as locally
called, Samanoo Pazan feast, close and distant relatives
are invited to steer the Samanoo. They believe that, those
who make wishes while steering the Samanoo with the ladle,
will have their wishes granted. For this very reason, the
young men and girls marriage age have a very active part
in these ceremonies. The next morning when the Samanoo
is properly boiled, or as they call it, matured, it will
be poured in big or small pots for distribution among neighbors.
It is believed that making Samanoo is a way of paying vows.
The reasons for making Samanoo in that particular time
are, first, the fertilization of wheat plants at that time
of the year and, second, they decorate their Haft Seen
Sofreh with that Samanoo.
These ceremonies, and other rituals which are common among
all Iranians, are observed by the islanders and the inhabitants
of these coastal areas with special splendor and grandeur.
Norooz visits, receiving gifts from the elders, the dances
and the happiness are symbols of unity and accord among
the inhabitants of our vast country. The climatic conditions
of southern coasts bring the precocious spring to the region,
filling meadows and grasslands with colored flowers, like
hyacinth and narcissus.
Since in Bushehr, Kangan, Dashti, Dashtistan, Ganaveh,
Bandar Abbas, and other coastal areas, the majority of
the people are fishermen, one of the dishes which decorate
their Haft Seen Sofrehs, is Sabzi - polo- mahi; a dish
made of rice, vegetables and fish.
Despite their distance, The people of Fars province are,
because of their relations with the coastal people, under
the influence of their rites and ceremonies. The moderate
climate of the Fars province and its similarity to the
coastal weather has augmented these relationship to such
a degree that many Iranians from all over the country spend
their Norooz Holidays in Fars, Khuzistan, Bushehr and Hormozgan
provinces, enjoying the clean delicate air of the south.
As a poet might have put it: The air is so mild in February,
you see blossoms on our almond tree.
Hana Bandan and baking of home made sweets: Another Norooz
ceremony in south of Iran is the ancient practice of Hana
Bandan, where, women and children dye their hands and feet
with henna. The women who have to work in the fields believe
that henna having many medical properties, will protect
their skins against many natural elements including sun
shine. The beauty of Norooz becomes even more attractive
when groups of women and children adorned in colorful dresses,
wearing anklets and shining with colorful spangles, travel
from of village to another. These create very pleasant
scenes for travelers.
Another local Norooz custom is
baking sweet breads, locally called" Kaak" which
is generally known as New Year's Sweet Bread. The difference
between Kaak and Tonok
Bread is that sugar and oil is added to the former. The
dough is baked on frying pans and then rolled and cut into
lozenges. Making Samanoo and baking such breads being rather
expensive, the rich seeing it as form of paying vows, share
them with less well off families so that they could have
them on their Haft Seen Sofrehs.
Norooz is the most ancient heritage of our ancestors.
This feast is observed not only in every corner of the
country, but also any where Iranians live, even aboard
ships and barges. In this way many foreigners have come
to know Norooz and eagerly participate in its festivities
and ceremonies. Among our neighboring countries, and specially
in Indian sub continent, No-Rooz feasts are held with great
grandeur. This in itself is a proper means of transmitting
the Iranian culture to the other parts of the world.
Iranians living abroad have in their new homes acquainted
the locals with aspects of Iranian culture. Their children
take Norooz ceremonies to their schools. The florist and
pet shop salesman now realize that whoever seeks hyacinths
and little gold fish close to the spring time, must be
an Iranian.
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