Navruz () is celebrated widely in

Uzbekistan , image_flag = Flag of Uzbekistan.svg , image_coat = Emblem of Uzbekistan.svg , symbol_type = Emblem of Uzbekistan, Emblem , national_anthem = "State Anthem of Uzbekistan, State Anthem of the Republ ...

. It is the day of the vernal equinox, and marks the beginning of spring in the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined by humans as being in the same celestial sphere, celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the Solar ...

. It has been celebrated on the territory corresponding to modern-day Uzbekistan for at least two thousand years. When Uzbekistan was part of the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

, celebrations of Navruz were generally unofficial, and at times even prohibited. Currently Navruz is an official public holiday in Uzbekistan and is always celebrated on March 21. Still, holiday celebrations are spread out over several days.

History

Navruz widely celebrated on a vast territory of Central Asia and ritual practice acquired its special features. The festival was legitimized by prayers at mosques, and visits to the mazars of Muslim saints and to sacred streams. In the

Emirate of Bukhara The Emirate of Bukhara (, ) was a Muslims, Muslim-Uzbeks, Uzbek polity in Central Asia that existed from 1785 to 1920 in what is now Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. It occupied the land between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rive ...

, a broad official celebration of Navruz was started by Muzaffar bin Nasrullah, who sought to strengthen the image of the

Manghud The Manghud, or Manghit (, ''Mangud;'' ) were a Mongol tribe of the Urud-Manghud federation, and a sub-clan of Borjigin, Manghuds (Mangkits or Mangits) who moved to the Desht-i Qipchaq steppe were Turkified. They established the Nogai Horde ...

dynasty during the crisis of political legitimacy.

Navruz customs

In preparation for the holiday, people tidy their homes and ''mahallas'' (neighborhoods), and buy new clothes. Before, during, and after Navruz, it is customary to prepare '' sumalak'', the main ceremonial dish of the holiday. Sumalak is a sweet paste made entirely from

germinated wheat Germinated wheat () or sprouted wheat, wheat sprout is a product of germinating wheat seeds in a wet and relatively warm environment in a process called sprouting. It is sometimes used instead of barley in the form of malt (early stage sprout) for ...

and is cooked in a large ''kazan''. To prepare ''sumalak'' friends, relatives, and neighbors – usually women – gather around the ''kazan'', all taking a turn to stir the mixture. When ready, ''sumalak'' is distributed among neighbors, relatives, and friends. At Navruz, people also visit relatives and friends and give presents to children. Navruz is often cited as the most popular holiday in Uzbekistan. On March 21, elaborate holiday concerts are organized across the country, notably in the capital city of

Tashkent Tashkent (), also known as Toshkent, is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Uzbekistan, largest city of Uzbekistan. It is the most populous city in Central Asia, with a population of more than 3 million people as of April 1, 2024. I ...

. Book fairs, concerts, games, and special television and radio programs last for the whole month of March. It has been noted that after Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, government officials have promoted Navruz as a main national holiday and have tightly controlled the content and form of the festivities.

History

Navruz customs

Gallery

References

External links