“Nowruz and its content are not specific to the territory where it occurs; its good traditions can serve as an important factor for the peaceful coexistence of all humanity.” Emomali Rahmon.
With the flight of doves, messengers of peace, the arrival of spring brings freshness and joy to humanity with all its fragrant fragrance. Thus, it is welcomed as the “queen of the seasons” and “bride of the year”, and celebrations are held to mark its arrival. Spring is a season that, with its first steps, brings beauty and freshness to nature and all beings in the world, bringing joy, happiness to humanity, and bringing a message of freedom, peace, and prosperity to hearts and minds with its colorful and blooming flowers.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal considers the arrival of spring to be a source of grace and blessing and a revival of love, affection, and respect for nature, and in one of his poems.
Thus, with the arrival of this blessed and joyful season is the beginning of the new solar year begins welcoming Nowruz. The history of the origin and celebration of this ancient holiday is abundantly documented in historical, literary, and artistic sources, including Abulqasim Firdawsi’s “Shahnama”, Abu Rayhan Beruni’s “At-Tafhim” and “Osar-ul-Baqiyya”, Omar Khayyam’s “Navruzname” and other works of great Tajik and Persian writers.
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The scholar and well-known writer of Tajikistan Sadriddin Aini mentioned it in his his books. In fact, the spring season and the arrival of Nowruz provide the sowing of grain crops and colorful natural trees and seedlings, which are a factor in the abundance of people and the survival of their lives. Ayni said that during Nowruz, the farmers gather in the fields, engage in crops engraining, engaging in physical activities to give their bodies nutrition and energy which was faded by the winter exciting cold and then go out for a general walk, sport competition such as wrestling, horse riding etc.
It is worth noting that the countries of Central Asia especially Tajikistan, share an ancient culture, language, and literature with the countries of South Asia, particularly Pakistan, and have had good relations with each other from the past to the present. Pakistan is one of the first countries to officially recognize the independence of Tajikistan. Among the countries of South Asia, Pakistan has close geographical ties with the Central Asian region, especially Tajikistan. The Embassy of Pakistan was first opened in Dushanbe in 1993, and its activities began in early 1994. The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, first visited Pakistan in 1994 and has been visiting this country regularly to participate in meetings and conferences.
Within this framework, the countries of Central Asia, especially Tajikistan, have established good and harmonious relations with the South Asian region since the early days of independence, and with common ties of literature, culture, language, and history, projects and programs play a strategic role in developing and sharing their abundant natural resources and constructive initiatives in solving various world problems.
Tajikistan and Pakistan have many commonalities, one of which is Nowruz. It should be noted that on September 30, 2009, UNESCO included Nowruz in its World Heritage List as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on February 23, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz. This Resolution welcomes the efforts of Member States where Nowruz is celebrated to preserve and develop the culture and traditions encouraging them to make efforts to raise its awareness by organizing annual events in commemoration of it.
Read More: Pakistan Promotes Cultural Unity at UNESCO Nowruz Fest
It is good to mention that there are many cultural commonalities between the peoples of Tajikistan and Pakistan, one of which is the celebration of Nowruz celebrations and ceremonies. Both countries are part of the Nowruz which is considered one of the main centers and sources of integration of civilizations. The countries of the Nowruz have a common cultural phenomenon that has a history of thousands of years, and was revived as the homeland of Nowruz at the initiative of Tajikistan, and in 2010 it was officially recognized among the countries of the world.
Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye, Pakistan, India, China, and Iraq, are called the main countries of Nowruz which accept and celebrate the festival as an ancient celebration of ancestors, the revival and renewal of nature, kindness and goodness, solidarity, peace, and friendship.
The cultural integration of the peoples of the region, with their ancient history, includes Iran, Khorasan, the Black Sea, Transoxiana, and the Caucasus, to which Mevlana referred eight hundred years ago, “We have come to unite.” In the not-so-distant past, the states of the Nowruz region were like cultural and family friends, sharing the ups and downs of history, sharing in each other’s joys and sorrows.
Thus, in 2016, by UNESCO’s decision, Pakistan was also included in the list of countries celebrating Nowruz, which is more commonly known among its residents as “Nowruz” or “Spring Festival”. Within its framework, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, at the initiative of the Embassy of Tajikistan, officially celebrated the international holiday of Nowruz for the first time on April 5, 2018.
It is worth noting that, according to surveys, the people of Pakistan, especially in the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, celebrate it more and, like the Tajikistan, hold “ghazal” singing gatherings in their homes on the days and nights of Nowruz, inviting singers to make it even more beautiful and interesting. Residents of the Pakistani city of Quetta celebrate it solemnly, showing their skills and talents, baking special cakes and sweets, such as “Ras Maloi”, “Suhan Halwa” and “Barfi”, and congratulate each other.
The citizen of the northern regions of the country, including Swat and Gilgit-Baltistan, Khunjеrab, Hunza, Balakot, and especially Chitral locating near the Himalayas mountain range reaching Badakhshan areas of Tajikistan also celebrate Nowruz. Meanwhile the people of Chitral near the Wakhan Corridor closing the Hindu Kush reaching Pamir high mountain celebrates it by organizing different festivals especially the “Chillum Joshi” welcoming spring which attracts thousands of tourists from home and abroad, particularly to visit Shahi Qala, the Kalash Valley, and Chitral Park accordingly.
Most people in the Punjab region, especially the city of Lahore, which is a sister city to Dushanbe also welcome the arrival of spring with full enthiuism called it “Jashni Baharan” or “Spring Festival”. The event commemorated with flight of the Kites, food stalls celebrating with joy and happiness, and playing various games, presenting gifts. In addition, visiting each other’s families and watching horse racing, giving colorful eggs are among the customs and traditions of the people. Consequently, on the days and nights of Nowruz, they organize poetry and song gatherings inviting famous singers to make it even more exciting and interesting.
Finally, it should be noted that, according to Iranian researcher Bejan Arzoni Birkani, the main soul and goal of Nowruz is peace and reconciliation between different nations, which has three important principles and developments in its essence such as joy, prosperity and freedom preventing all types of conflict, crime, offensiveness and destruction.
The countries of the Nowruz especially Tajikistan and Pakistan in the light of Tajikistan school of peace using PEACE formula continue their relations to strengthen people peace, prosperity, promoting cultural similarities, economic development and progress, activation human based advantage projects, effective programs, joint activities, they should develop their cooperation and strengthening people-to-people diplomacy.
We are confident that the countries of Nawruz and their intellectuals will consciously take steps towards unity, solidarity and integration planting tree of peace and friendship as Hafiz Sherazi said:
Plant a tree of friendship that will bring forth a full heart,
Pluck a seedling of enmity that will bring countless suffering.
In short, celebrating Nowruz is not only about preserving a cultural heritage, but also about paying more attention and reflecting on a philosophy and wisdom of living. Nowruz is a wisdom that reflects the sincere connection of the people of this region with nature that at its heart is preserving nature, appreciating nature, and thriving on it.
Additionally, Nowruz festival plays as wonderful means for friends and families to come together and celebrate with joy. By turning this festival into a responsibly practiced event, the people can not only provide personal, financial, and mental satisfaction but also attract tourists from around the world serve as ambassadors worldwide peace, good ethics, and hospitality.
With its arrival, the inhabitants of the planet need to protect the splendors of the world’s environment live with a pure heart and human kind, organizing social and cultural programs for their progress and prosperity and remains symbol of friendship and bond of cultural diplomacy.
Mirsaid Rakhmonov
Mirsaid Rakhmonov is a Senior Researcher in the Southeast Asia Department at the Institute for the Study of Asian and European States, National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
