Celebrating Nowruz - Central Asia

Get a glimpse of ancient cities along the Great Silk Road, bask in the nomadic culture and Soviet heritage, and experience the vast mountains and steppes of Central Asia. Each of the five “stans” has much to offer, especially in times of celebration

- Ian Bongso-Seldrup

{ CENTRAL ASIA }

Celebrating Nowruz

HOW THE PERSIAN NEW YEAR BECAME CENTRAL ASIA’S MOST IMPORTANT FESTIVAL

The anti-religious communist government banned it in the former Soviet republics. In Tajikistan, it was renamed “Tulip Celebration” to avoid the ire of authorities. When the Taliban were in power in Afghanistan, it was outlawed – an ancient pagan holiday centred on fire worship that was against Islam. The theocratic leaders of Iran felt the same way when they came to power in 1979.

Today, in better times, it is a four-day public holiday in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, and a day off for Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. Alongside the Muslim festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, it is the biggest celebration in Central Asia. If you’re travelling to this part of the world, you’ve got every reason to come in spring: It’s time to celebrate Nowruz.

To understand Central Asia’s relationship with Nowruz (also spelled Novruz, Nowrouz, Nooruz, Navruz, Nauroz or Nevruz, and otherwise referred to as the “Persian New Year”), it helps to know a little bit of the history. Indeed, there’s a whole lot of history behind this ancient festival.