Several citizens of Afghanistan say that Nowruz symbolizes renewal, solidarity, and hope for them. They add that following the Taliban’s takeover, Nowruz traditions and customs among the people have faded. According to these citizens, Nowruz, which was once one of the most important traditional celebrations, has now turned into an ordinary day.
These citizens told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that despite these conditions, they try to keep these traditions alive and prevent them from being forgotten. They point out that Nowruz is more than a simple celebration and helps strengthen social bonds. In their view, cultural diversity in Nowruz customs and the gathering of people provide an opportunity to pass on traditions and values and to reinforce cohesion among the ethnic groups and communities of Afghanistan.
Hassan, a resident of Kabul, says that his family prepares every year to welcome Nowruz and carries out their old customs and traditions. He refers to visiting relatives, recreation, and preparing haft mewa and samanak as long-standing traditions of the people of Kabul during Nowruz. According to him, although the presence of the Taliban in recent years had affected the celebration of Nowruz, they still try to preserve these customs.
Hassan adds: “In the new year, we prepare haft-seen, samanak, and other foods and celebrate the year with good fortune. This year, as Eid and the New Year coincide, we will hold the samanak celebration on the fifteenth day of Eid and will also prepare haft-seen according to the New Year tradition.”
Noor Ali, another resident of Kabul who has witnessed Nowruz celebrations in different periods, says that in the past, Nowruz was celebrated more widely than today. He considers visiting the Imam Ali Shrine in Kabul and Balkh, going to graves, recreation, and preparing haft mewa as long-standing traditions that are still alive among the people.
Mr. Ali adds: “During the Mujahideen era and the previous government, Nowruz was celebrated with joy and on a wide scale. At that time, people went to shrines, especially the Imam Ali Shrine in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, planted greenery, and went to the graves of their deceased to pray. Most importantly, every home had haft mewa, which we ate, and it refreshed the heart. Now, under the Taliban, no one can celebrate it freely.”
This Kabul resident says: “Under current conditions, most young people go outside, but it is no longer held as it was in the past. Last year, there were no holidays, while previously the first three days of the year were holidays and the Farmers’ Festival was also held.”
Farzana, a resident of Herat, says that people in this province celebrate Nowruz by visiting relatives, cooking samanak, and going to parks. She adds that after the Taliban’s takeover, people’s enthusiasm for celebrating Nowruz has declined.
Farzana adds, “Nowruz in Herat is one of the important celebrations of the people of Afghanistan. On this day, people clean their homes, wear new clothes, and visit relatives. They also prepare foods such as haft mewa and samanak and celebrate the arrival of spring and the New Year. In the past, people celebrated Nowruz with large festivities, outings to nature, and lively visits, but now, due to current conditions, most people celebrate it more simply and at home.”
Mir Agha, a resident of Ghor province, says that among their people, it is customary to hold local games during Nowruz. He adds that these traditions included buzkashi, wrestling, and other traditional entertainment that not only brought people together but also strengthened a sense of unity and joy. He adds: “We used to celebrate Nowruz with buzkashi, strongman competitions, and wrestling, but now these ceremonies have significantly diminished.”
Aqila, a resident of Ghazni, says that people in this province prepare for Nowruz before the start of the New Year, and this tradition has been passed down through generations. She notes that cleaning homes, organizing and tidying the environment, preparing new clothes, cooking special Nowruz sweets, and making samanak are among the most important preparations for this celebration.
This Ghazni resident describes their customs on New Year’s Day as follows: “On the morning of Nowruz, people gather in the mosque, drink tea, and then go to visit elders and shrines. At graves, they plant trees, and on the eve of the New Year, henna is applied to the hands of girls, elders, and children. Before the New Year, homes were cleaned so that the year would begin with cleanliness and order, and if there were disputes, reconciliation would take place. People would tell children stories about the philosophy of Nowruz, and if someone had a bride, they would bring her gifts. Children would go in groups to the doors and collect Eid al-Fitr. Through television, we would wait for the raising of the Sakhi banner; if it rose straight, it meant a good year, and if it rose crooked and with difficulty, people expected a difficult year ahead.”
Hussam, a resident of Nangarhar, says that people in eastern Afghanistan celebrate Nowruz and the New Year with special ceremonies. He adds that going to parks, visiting the shrine of Mehtarlam Baba in Laghman, wearing pakol hats, and decorating them with flowers are among their Nowruz traditions.
This Nangarhar resident adds: “On New Year’s Eve, people gather, slaughter sheep, and stay awake until dawn by holding a gathering. On New Year’s Day, people visit each other’s homes to congratulate one another on Nowruz and wish for the prosperity and reconstruction of the country. Local foods are prepared, and people believe that if Nowruz Day passes well, the entire year will be good. In Dara-e-Noor district of Nangarhar, people would pick fresh flowers, decorate their eyes, and hold games such as cricket and other local games.”
Sikandar, a resident of Panjshir, says that before the New Year and in the final days of school, children write songs and sing them at the doors of houses on New Year’s Day. He adds that in return, local people give children agricultural products as Eid al-Fitr. According to Sikandar, people cook their local foods and gather in public places to share them.
This Panjshir resident adds: “Children who studied with a mullah in the mosque would write songs in their final school days and sing them at people’s doors. People would give them legumes and food items, sometimes even as much as a sack, which were later sold in the market. The children would buy whatever they wanted with that money. This tradition was specific to children, and adults did not take part in it. Adults cooked local foods, and all the villagers would gather and eat them together.”
Shafiqa, a resident of Balkh, says that New Year’s Eve is one of the most beautiful and lively nights for the people of Balkh. She adds that young people light firecrackers on this night, beautifying the sky, which brings joy not only to residents but also to visitors who come to visit the shrine of Hazrat Ali.
This Balkh resident adds: “On New Year’s Eve, people from different areas would come to the shrine of Hazrat Ali, and in the morning, the banner of the shrine would be raised. Thousands would gather to watch this ceremony, and the banner would remain for 40 days; according to local people, Nowruz celebrations and ceremonies continued for 40 days. During this time, haft mewa, samanak, and other local foods were prepared, and people went out for recreation. Holding fairs and celebrations, especially the Red Flower Festival, had a great impact on the younger generation and led to the formation of friendships and group activities.” She emphasizes that these ceremonies have now significantly diminished due to the current situation.
People across Afghanistan celebrate Nowruz by visiting relatives, going to shrines, holding the Red Flower Festival, growing greenery, preparing local foods, and organizing traditional games such as buzkashi, strongman competitions, egg fighting, and kite flying. Giving Eid is also a shared custom of this celebration.
One of the most important Nowruz traditions was the raising of the Sakhi banner at the Sakhi shrine in Kabul and Balkh, which is now restricted due to the Taliban’s rule. In Clause 21 of Article 22 of the Law for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Taliban have declared the celebration of Nowruz, Yalda night, and other cultural festivities to be against Islamic values and have banned their observance.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
