Connecting Routes: Renew, Rejuve, Rejoice ~ It's Nawruz!
IRAN - TAJIKISTAN - AFGHANISTAN
Here’s to “Connecting Routes” ~ a space to spotlight a common theme in my travels that offers snapshots from one place to another, like the tantalizing tease of a tasting menu or a shortlist of your next dream vacation!
Top Three Places To Renew, Rejuve and Rejoice for Nawruz
Celebrated by more than 300 million people globally, Nawruz (spelled in myriad ways Nowruz, Nauroz, Navruz, Navroz) is believed to have been initiated by Zoroastrians 3,000 years ago and later popularized by King Jamshed of Iran. An important celebration in Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans, parts of North America and the Middle East, naw meaning ‘new’ and roz translated as ‘light’ or ‘day’, marks the beginning of a New Year. Nawruz is a festival of hope, a time for reflection, gratitude, growth and an ever ready trampoline for transformation. The first day of the Persian calendar begins when the sun crosses the celestial equator. During the vernal equinox of March 21st, the sun spends nearly an equal amount of time above and below the horizon. Marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, this “brings a nearly equal day and night in most places across the region, symbolising renewal, balance, and new beginnings – the essence of Nawruz”.
Like the sun who has parity in her powers over both hemispheres and akin to the the earth who begins to rouse from its bleak winter slumber, the rituals focus on reuniting with family, communal celebrations, the spreading of good will, hope and faith, as well as a time to contemplate and recalibrate. Similar to resurrection celebrated in Christianity through Easter and rejuvenation in Hinduism through Holi, Nawruz nudges us to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask: have I done my work and fulfilled my purpose? Nawruz therefore serves as a springboard, exoterically and esoterically. Equally, it reminds us of our common human heritage as it “champions the values of tolerance, cultural diversity, and peace - principles that resonate deeply in our modern, interconnected society.” Officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with Spring’s breath of fresh air, can we consider doing our own internal update … surely I can uplevel to DocAtTheBeach 2.0 if my smartphone is now at 18.3.2!
The invitation to clear out the old, set our gaze ahead and to have hope for what our future holds is indeed at our doorstep. As we gear up, Marianne Williamson poignantly reminds us: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” Whether we celebrate this milestone or not, perhaps the essence of Nawruz can inspire us to take stock, turn a new leaf, scrub out what no longer serves us and lean into renewal, rejuvenation and rejoicing!
Iran: Observed by almost every household in the country, extensive spring cleaning is a national tradition observed by most who celebrate the occasion (thanks for trendsetting for the rest of us!). Before Nawruz, it is generally customary to do a Khaneh Tekani or Khouneh Tekouni, literally means ‘shaking the house’, to rid the debris from the year gone by and to cleanse for the year ahead. Common sights in the days leading up to Nawruz include colourful carpets hanging outside, sparkling silverware, new clothes and fragrant flowers - all signs to welcome a fresh start.
Tajikistan: The Pamir Mountains, locally known as Baam-e-Jahan, are linguistically and literally the ‘rooftop of the world’. It’s a unique place on the planet where literally, there’s not a spot in the sky in which a jagged peak or a monumental mountain does not meet your gaze. We were so fortunate to be VIP guests at an outdoor Nawruz celebration where we soaked up traditional Tajik dances and music, which blared from speakers atop two huge pickup trucks. Queen pageants, wrestling and volleyball matches as well as skits on life and livelihood of Tajiks was also part of the festivities. The clincher was learning how to (gracefully) swing standing up, using your feet, core and courage to commandeer a rope that looped the beams of what looked like a poll vault - our candid photos have intense emotions, while elderly Tajiks exude a more serene stance. Powerful too was a dance where children under black drapes (representing the fall of the Soviets and the Civil War) surfaced with yellow sheets (representing Light) and the Tajik flag to symbolize rebirth and hope for the future.
Afghanistan: In Shugnan, the day before Nawruz, my cheeks hurt from smiling so deep! Talented Tajiks had been invited by the Government and trusted local NGOs for an outdoor concert in Afghanistan. Thousands had walked two days to attend this annual celebration. Instead of gawking their heads and standing on tiptoes for a better vantage point, hundreds of humans hung from trees like a cluster of grapes clinging to the vines! The things we see in one part of the world remind us viscerally and so vividly of all that we owe gratitude for …
May the Spring clear fear, remove cobwebs in our beings and let love and Light avalanche ~ Nawruz Mubarak!