In Azerbaijan Novruz Bayram holiday is one of the main holidays, along with Ramazan Bayram and the New Year. It is celebrated in other Muslim countries and is not only a religious holiday. It is united with the spring equinox and symbolizes the awakening and renewal of nature, the coming of the new year.
It's easy to guess what day the Novruz Bayram holiday is celebrated - as well as the day of the vernal equinox all over the world, this holiday falls on the date of March 21.
The history of Novruz Bayram in Islam
It should be noted that the holiday of spring Novruz Bayram has no direct relation to Islam and its customs. His roots go to the pre-literary history. Today it is celebrated by the peoples who inhabited the territory of the Middle East even before the arrival of Islam. That is, it is not celebrated by the Arabs, Turks and Syrians, moreover, in these countries it was banned or is still banned.
What is the Novruz Bayram holiday for Muslims: this day is the beginning of spring, the moment of equality of day and night, the beginning of growth and prosperity. The very word Novruz means "a new day". The celebration lasts from a week to two weeks and is accompanied by meetings with relatives and friends.
Traditions of the Novruz holiday
The Muslim holiday of Novruz Bayram is rich in folk traditions. The most ancient of them are "Hydir Ilyas" and "Kos-Kosa" - games on the squares symbolizing the arrival of spring.
Other interesting traditions that appeared later are associated with water and fire. Since in Eastern countries great fire has fire, which means purification and freshness, Novruz Bayram holiday does not do without bonfires. On the eve it is accepted everywhere, even in cities, to kindle bonfires and to jump through the flame regardless of sex and age. And you need to do this 7 times, pronouncing special words.
Fires are not extinguished, they must completely burn out, after which young people take the ashes and scatter it away from home. At the same time, together with the ash, all the failures and adversities of the jumping people are thrown out.
Another tradition is jumping over the water. To jump over a stream or river means to be cleansed from past sins. Also at night, it is common to pour and pour water on each other. And the one who drinks water from the stream or river on the eve of the holiday, will not be ill next year.
Celebration and signs
During the celebration of Novruz Bayram it is necessary to traditionally prepare a table with seven dishes starting with "c". In addition, a mirror, a candle and a painted egg are placed on the table. All this has a deep meaning: the mirror is a symbol of clarity, the candle drives away evil spirits, and the egg is the subject of close attention of all sitting at the table - as soon as it swings, it means that the New Year has come. From this moment everyone starts to congratulate each other, say wishes, cuddle and so on.
March 21 is a non-working day, even if it falls on the middle of the week. On the first day of the holiday it is customary to stay at home with the family. If it happens to be absent, then there is a sign that you have not seen the house for 7 more years.