The vernal equinox, or On the eve of a holiday – Novruz Bayram
Nowruz Bayram is approaching - a holiday that has international status and is celebrated on the territory of many states. The tradition of celebrating the spring "New Year" is rooted in antiquity, when the ancestors associated the day of the vernal equinox with the advent of "warmth and goodness to the earth."
An exhibition dedicated to the national holiday of spring, “Novruz came to this happy land,” was organized at the State Museum of Turkmenistan. The works of famous Turkmen artists, household items are presented here, but the main place is occupied by the “seeds” - the main treat of Novruz.
“Seeds” is a dish of sprouted wheat, the main dessert on the festive table in the days of Novruz,” says the museum guide Maral Achilova. - From time immemorial, this treat is prepared according to old recipes that have survived to this day. Sprouts of young wheat are cooked for a long time until smooth, and soon the brew acquires a dark brown hue, and looks and tastes like thick jam. Young wheat is prepared without added sugar and, surprisingly, it acquires a sweet taste in the process of languishing over a fire.
The word “Novruz” from the Iranian language is translated as “naz” - new, “ruz” - day, and means the day of the new year and the awakening of nature. The peoples of the East believe that with the advent of March, "green happiness, that is, grass," opens its eyes", i.e. the new agricultural year begins.
In the days of Novruz it is customary to plant trees, because the earth itself contributes to the general flowering and revitalization. Young girls and guys ride on a swing, everyone goes to visit, give gifts, forgive each other all the old insults. In the days of Novruz, all differences and misunderstandings are forgotten. And, as a rule, they begin to prepare for the celebration long before the celebration itself.
“It is customary to meet Novruz in new clothes,” the guide continues. Following customs, people try to pay off debts and get rid of old things. And on this day decorate the house with a sprig of apple or apricot. At our exhibition, traditional elements accompanying the celebration are presented: for example, products from the carpet, flaunting over the doors of the yurt, with long tassels of fringe, made to let the incoming person bend before entering inside. Seen in this ritual is a peculiar bow to the dwelling in which the guest came. Racing on Ahal-Teke horses, folk festivals and games become an integral part of the holiday.
Many classics of Turkmen literature sang the spring festival. Magtymguly dedicated a poem of the same name to Novruz:
Nowruz is coming.
The world is beautiful in great and small.
After a spring thunderstorm, mountains dress in fog.
Each new sprout is a welcome guest to the sun.
The rocks are covered with wormwood, ivy and weeds.
In the rocks, birds are free - careless spring throats,
And the flowers, rich with aroma tart and spicy,
Calling men to grassy meadow.
In Turkmenistan, the days of Novruz Bayram celebration are declared non-working
Selbi CHARYYEVA
