MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY IS NAVRUZ

Ask any Uzbek, whether old or young, about the warmest and most beloved holidays. And, most often, you will hear the answer: “Navruz”. What is this holiday? And why is it so loved by both the indigenous people and the guests of the country? First of all, probably, for the wisdom that came to us from time immemorial. After all, the history of the holiday goes back to the pre-literate history of mankind, at the time of the appearance of agriculture and related cults. The holiday of Navruz originated in Khorasan (in the north-east of Iran) more than three thousand years ago, eventually spreading to the neighboring states of Western and Central Asia. And this holiday arose not out of the blue, but solely at the behest of nature itself. It is on March 21, on the day when day and night are equal, that a new solar cycle begins, a new astronomical year, and, consequently, the law of renewal comes into force again. Therefore, Navruz for the Turkic and Iranian peoples is the same as the New Year for Europeans. Later, under the Achaemenids (VI-IV centuries BC), Navruz first received state status, turning from an agricultural ritual into a Zoroastrian holiday and was tied to the cult of the Sun and Zarathustra. Today, the Navruz holiday is an event of national importance and one of the main Uzbek national traditions, and, like thousands of years ago, it is full of ancient original rituals and colorful ceremonies. The main sacrament takes place on the night of March 21. This is the time to prepare the main ritual dish from wheat growths - sumalak. The whole mahalla, mostly women, gathers behind a huge cauldron: they sit in a circle, sing songs, have fun, each waiting for her turn to stir the sumalak. In the morning, the sumalak is still warm and handed out to neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances. When trying sumalak, you should definitely make a wish - the locals say it will come true. The Navruz holiday in Uzbekistan is generally very strongly associated with new hopes and expectations. Therefore, on this day it is customary to forgive even your worst enemies, not to quarrel, to help the weak and the needy. All this will lure good luck into the house - people believe. Another good sign is considered to treat. On this day, housewives fry special pies with greens, prepare nishalda - a sweet dessert made from egg whites whipped with sugar and fragrant herb roots, bake puff samsa, fragrant pilaf smokes in cauldrons. . . The table on this day is bursting with goodies. Abundance is another good sign. In every house today a guest is welcome: they host and go a lot themselves. And not only to visit. You can't sit at home on Navruz! Particularly interesting are the folk festivals in the villages, where traditional kupkari competitions, jigit wrestling, equestrian tournaments, as well as folk fairs are held where you can buy everything from souvenirs to national pastries.