There are
various traditions and holidays in Kyrgyzstan like in other countries around the
world. Holidays are very important for Kyrgyz people, because they bring people
together. One of the most popular and most spirited Great public festivals in Kyrgyzstan
is Nooruz
- the day of the vernal equinox - when ancient people made sacrifices to the
sun. Ancient people used such large pot to cook a sacrificial horse and then
ate it together. All wars and quarrels stopped, offences were forgiven and
everybody was equal and welcomed for festive table "dastorkon"
particularly during this holiday.
Kyrgyz people began New Year from Nooruz and waited
successes in further life. New Year Ceremonies done by our ancestors were
developed long time ago. Kyrgyz people burnt out the branch of "archa"
(fir) and smoked own houses as well as all members
of family saying: "Alas-alas, ar baleden kalas" that means "Away all disasters and
misfortunes. At that ceremony they hoped that Nooruz bring to theirs
houses happiness, prosperity and good luck. All members of family prepared new
clothes for holiday preferred gaudy colors: red, white and blue. |
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Kids in national dress |
| Porridge
made from wheat, barley and millet usually was cooked in New Year Night.
It had various names such as "keje",
"kocho", "oruzdama" or "nooruz kocho". "Sumolok" was cooked too. Mother Umai inspires the
traditional dish sumolok that women made during this
spring night. Just few people know how
to cook this now. Judging by the legends and stories wheat's grains should
plant on wet material seven days before holiday and always should water.
By Nooruz it comes up. So, wheat is ground again adding flour,
rice and nuts, then mix by water. This mixture is cooked for 24 hours.
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| Necessarily, forty-one stones should be added
to this porridge. Why stones... well there is another New Year legend about this.
One poor woman decided to cheat own kids when nothing left to eat. She put
stones into copper and began to cook them saying that soon it get ready. Children
couldn't wait and fell asleep as well we their mother. But she glanced at
copper in the morning and it was full of delicious food such as heaven's gift.
Since that stones are cooked in ritual copper... Every family should cook sumolok.
Everyone should taste it at least just a little.
Even strangers were treated by sumolok with wish of
Peaceful and Wealthy Year. Neighbors were treated by these foods. People wished
to each other happiness, health, prosperity and honesty. Nooruz is
celebrated in spring as a National New Year in Kyrgyzstan.
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Square
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| Nooruz is
celebrated in Central Asia and
in some Muslim countries until the present day. March 21-22 is Day of Vernal Equinox,
when Muslims celebrate spring
holiday New Year-Nooruz. It celebrates in March 21
in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan (Nowruz bairam), in yrgyzstan (Nooruz),
in Uzbekistan (Navruz) and in
March 22 in Kazakhstan (Nauryz meiramy), in Tajikistan (Navruz).
In soviet times celebrating New Year in spring was forbidden, because it
resembled religion. The Kyrgyz picked up this tradition after independence, but
had forgotten many of the prescriptions during more than seventy years of
Soviet rule. |
Kurdish dance
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| The celebration of Nooruz that originates from Persia
has to be reinvented from the
stories that went on from mouth to ear. The word itself
literally means "new day" (Persian two words "NOW"(new) and "ROOZ"
(day)) in Persian (Farsi) language and the festival marks the beginning of the
solar year as well as the New Year on the Iranian and several other national
calendars. At its core, the Nooruz festival celebrates
the awakening of the natural life. This awakening symbolizes the triumph of
good, winning against the evil forces of darkness that are represented by the Winter.
Nooruz is the point when
the oppressive presence of the cold Winter finally
begins to retrieve with the commencement of the lively and hopeful Spring. This
symbolic and poetic change corresponds to the mathematical instance of the sun
leaving the zodiac of Pisces and entering the zodiacal sign of Aries, also
known as the Spring Equinox. People have applied the Nooruz
spirit to every dark challenge that has come their way. This spirit has made Nooruz
far more than just a New Year celebration ! |
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Yurta and girls |
| Kyrgyzstan
celebrates this festival during more than 10 years. In this day Kyrgyz people
say to each other good wishes in every town, in every village, in every family
independently of nation. This worldly holiday, namely New Day gathers a large
number of people in city center. A lot of yurta
(traditional nomad's tent "boz ui"
by name) are placed at the Center Square. And
nowadays holiday celebration is held over almost same scenario. It starts
early in the morning and ends late in the evening. In other words, the
official grand opening of holiday is held at the Ala-Too
Square with participation of President of Kyrgyz
Republic Askar Akayev and
other republics statesmen and men of science. Citizens and guests (visitors) of
Republic are also invited to festive actions. President A.Akayev
delivers his complimentary speech. In spite of all difficulties People of
Kyrgyzstan live in Peace, in Harmony and mutual Consent. As same as long time
ago the branch of "archa"(fir) is smoked away and spell of "Alas,
alas, ar baleden kalas" ("Away all disasters and misfortunes") is resounded over
people. Then theatrical
performances are presented like concert of folklore groups, performance of
dance groups etc.
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Dance with peace kerchief |
| People dress up and sing, dance, and play national
instruments. Girls dance that national dance which is called "Dance of the
flowers". Boys play a national instrument called "Komuz".
During that time, people in the street of different nations, sexes and ages
walk, talk, dance national dance, eat, play, and enjoy the holiday or just have
good time with their families. At the same time from the early in the morning trade-fair, sale of farm
products and consumer goods are gone off at the old Square. And many citizens
buy a lot off young plants.
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People also invite their relatives, friends and neighbors
for dinner. Nooruz is also known as a time for
sharing. It's a time when people share their dreams, thoughts and hopes.
Usually people cook various kinds of national dishes. One of them is Beshbarmak
(word-for-word translation is "Five fingers")- combination of meat cut into small particles and noodles.
Up to now Kyrgyz People eat this by hand; the name of Beshbarmak
came from this.
Simultaneously,
festive actions are held in different regions of town and Republic. Then in
afternoon Nooruz celebration goes on at Republican
Race Track "Ak-Kula" where national equestrian sport
games are taken place such as "Kok-Boryu", "Odarysh", "Kyz kuumai" etc.
In the evening concert of songsters and dance
groups is held at the Ala-Too Square. Finally, come to night holiday
show finishes by fireworks.
Nooruz is one of the most amazing,
special holidays Kyrgyz people celebrate each spring. |
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