New Year's celebration in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan New Year is celebrated for the past five thousand years. The first day of the New Year falls on the 21st March. It is called Nauroz which means a new day. Because after a lazy and snowy winter the nature gets a new life and turns green. Afghans celebrate this day in many ways. For example, everyone cleans their home and tries to wear new clothes. But the main part of celebration is to make special dishes and a special drink. The drink is made out of different nuts and dry fruits soaked in water for several days. Even though families prepare seven different dishes to enjoy Nauroze cooking spinach is compulsory. In addition to the seven dishes, women make another dish which is called ‘Samanak’. Samanak is made of ground wheat grass. It is mixed with water and some wheat flour. Cooking of Samanak is a big event. Women and girls start cooking Samanak at night and finish early in the morning. The most interesting part of making Samanak is that women and girls sing a famous traditional ‘Samanak Song’ while cooking this dish. A well cooked Samanak looks like brown pudding which is very tasty and sweet. Likewise, on the New Year Day people go on picnic and women specially like to walk on green pastures.

In spite of all ups and downs of life Afghans are keen to keep this old tradition alive in the coming ages too.