Residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province, say that the traditions and festivities of Nowruz are dwindling in this province. The annual Nowruz celebrations and the raising of the red tulip pole used to be honored in Mazar-i-Sharif with the participation of thousands. Three years ago, despite security threats and Taliban suicide attacks, thousands attended the Nowruz ceremonies in Balkh. However, with the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, there is no sign of the enthusiastic presence of people or the celebration of Nowruz.
The year 1403 of the Solar Hijri calendar marks the third year that Nowruz festivities have yet to be held in Balkh Province. The Taliban banned Nowruz celebrations in the country in the year 1400 Solar Hijri calendar, denying citizens permission to celebrate the New Year.
Now, some residents of Mazar-i-Sharif say that under Taliban rule, all the traditions and customs of Nowruz are in decline. They add that for the past three years, due to Taliban restrictions, they have been unable to celebrate the New Year.
Zahra, one of the residents of Mazar-i-Sharif, says that for the third year in a row, the joy and enthusiasm of the people have been taken away, and no one has the right to be happy.
This woman from Balkh, in an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, says that due to economic difficulties, the Taliban’s anti-women policies, and the deprivation of personal and social freedoms by this group, she has forgotten about buying clothes, cleaning the house, and celebrating Nowruz.
Zahra adds: “Before the arrival of the Taliban, every year when there were less than 15 days left to the end of the year, we would start preparing for celebrating the New Year. Cleaning the house, buying clothes, purchasing samanu (a traditional sweet paste), and preparing the Haft Seen (Seven Fruits) were some of the things we would do, and these were part of our culture; but it’s been three years since we’ve heard of this culture.”
This resident of Balkh explicitly states that now they are only seeking peace. She adds: “Believe me, in the past two years, we have forgotten all joys and celebrations of happy days and the revival of nature, and our only concern is where to find peace and how to stabilize our lives, that’s it.”
Like thousands of other women from Balkh province, Ms. Zahra reminisces about her memories and the hospitality during the Nowruz days that the people of Balkh are known for. She says: “Every year during Nowruz days, we were hosts. Friends and relatives from different areas would come to Mazar-i-Sharif. After raising the flag in the blessed shrine of Hazrat Ali, we would go to the fields to visit nature and greenery, capturing it in photos and videos, something we can’t even think about now. It’s hard to believe, but in the recent snowfalls that occurred in Mazar-i-Sharif, my sisters, and friends went out to take a few photos as a keepsake, but the Taliban arrived right there and prevented us, even insulted us, and we had to return home immediately.”
In the nearly three years of Taliban rule, the unemployment rate has increased every day. Alongside the Taliban’s restrictions, the country’s citizens, forgetting their joys, are only longing to find a piece of bread and save their families from hunger.
Soraya Kazemi is another resident of Mazar-i-Sharif. She says that with the return of the Taliban, the culture and festivities of Nowruz are fading away.
She says: “This year, Nowruz has no color or scent; the economy of the people has weakened significantly. People who used to celebrate Nowruz eagerly are now struggling to provide a piece of bread for their children.”
Ms. Kazemi adds: “One of the exciting aspects of Nowruz in past years was the start of the academic year, especially awaited by students, particularly girls. But this year, millions of girls in the country are deprived of education, and this is the worst tragedy that no girl finds joy in Nowruz.”
This resident of Balkh province believes that the prohibition of celebrating Nowruz by the Taliban has inflicted an irreparable blow to the country’s culture, and Afghanistan has lost its cultural position among the world’s nations.
Jamshid Ahmadi, another resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, also says that there is no sign of Nowruz in this city, and no one even mentions Nowruz, fearing the Taliban.
Before the Taliban seized Afghanistan, Mazar-i-Sharif hosted annual Nowruz celebrations and the Red Tulip Pole festivities, drawing thousands, including government officials. The Nowruz festivities spanned forty days, featuring entertainment programs, local music performances, and lively New Year celebrations with dancing.
