Several years ago we hosted a Nowruz gathering. An energetic group of students and spouses from Kazakhstan invited a large number of guests to taste, sing, dance, learn and laugh while sampling the cultural festival. What fun we all had!
Since then I find myself paying a bit more attention to the first day of spring in the western calendar which coincides with Nowruz! Though Nowruz is a largely secular celebration, it may be associated with and influenced by centuries-old religious traditions too. The festival continues to be celebrated in many countries with significant, Persian cultural influence – including people in Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, and much of Central Asia.[1]
Here, the advent of spring[2] is often associated with the first blossoms in nature as well as hoped-for milder weather. The latter depends, of course, at what latitude you live – no spring yet in Wisconsin! Many people, though, are prompted to spring-clean their closets, e.g. get rid of old clothes; or houses, e.g. wash windows. You may even notice an increase in “yard sales” in the spring!
What we generally don’t pay attention to is what I find intriguing in Nowruz. Since the festival marks the new year, not simply a change in seasons, many in Central Asia engage in activities that illustrate a kind-of soul cleaning too! Or am I reading into it an aspect that particularly connects with me personally? But look, Nowruz is translated new day (in English). And, some of their traditions do point to *inner renewal or cleaning*, though that theme probably gets lost with other colorful and tasty traditions.
New – new year, new day, clean inside[3] and outside – with celebration! Bring it on!
[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nowruz
[2] Let’s try one of these activities to challenge the right side of the brain: https://holidappy.com/holidays/celebrate-spring!
[3] “For if a person is in Christ she becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new. All this is God’s doing….” (Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
