By Comedian, K-von
Spring is in the air. And for over 300 million people they will be celebrating what is known as PERSIAN NEW YEAR or Nowruz. What is that you ask? It is an ancient holiday celebrating all things SPRING.
To properly bring in the new year Persian style…
First you jump over a campfire to kick off the holiday
7 days later you dance and have a feast.
And 7 days after that you go to a park with your family and enjoy the warm fresh air.
Think of it as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July all wrapped into one as gifts are being exchanged and your Aunt is telling you to eat when you were full three helpings ago!
This time of year was very important to ancient civilizations and roots back to well over 3,000 years ago. Zoroastrians (known as the first religion with one God instead of many) celebrated NOWRUZ (The New Day) in a big way.
Even though 20 countries and smaller tribes have celebrated this holiday for centuries, it is very important you know Persians had the largest empire and looooovvveee to take credit for everything . That is why we know they will affectionately call Nowruz “Persian New Year” to anyone who asks.
At this point some of you are asking what the heck is a PERSIAN / IRANIAN ?!… well check this out…
BRIEF HISTORY:
ONCE UPON A TIME THE PERSIAN EMPIRE RULED MOST OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION. THEY CONQUERED, THRIVED, AND BROUGHT INNOVATIONS WE STILL USE TODAY, LIKE… PAJAMAS, THE WINDMILL, THE GAME OF CHESS, BRAIN SURGERY, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ICE CREAM, TAMBOURINES
WITH VARIOUS BATTLES BETWEEN THE GREEKS, MONGOLIANS, AND OTHERS, THE TERRITORY WAS REDUCED TO THE AREA KNOWN AS PERSIA…WHICH IN 1935, THEY RENAMED …IRAN.
IN1979, IRAN HAD A HUGE REVOLUTION. MANY FLED TO VARIOUS CITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO START A NEW LIFE. THE ONE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY THEY UNIVERSALLY HOLD ONTO WITH PRIDE AND CELEBRATE NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE …NOWRUZ
PROOF THAT EVEN WITHOUT YOUR COUNTRY YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CULTURE
—-Watch this History Lesson on NOWRUZ here: History Lesson on NOWRUZ —-
See, that wasn’t so bad was it?! Now instead of a Christmas tree when you attend a Persian New Year Party you will see a table called a “Haft Seen” (meaning the 7 things that start with ‘S”). This is what is on the table…
HAFT SEEN (7 Things that Start with S) – The Table
sabze – wheat sprouts grown in a dish. Rebirth
seb apple – beauty sir – symbol of medicine
sekir… vinegar – age and patience
sumac – a spice – symbol of the color of sunrise
senjeh – berry – symbol of love
samanu- pudding – symbol of affluence extras,
sonbol – flower – symbol of beauty
Then we throw in a goldfish, lit candle, mirror, and book of poetry to top it off!
( Here is a video clip which shows it )
But don’t worry about all the intricacies. Just find a Persian party… eat with friends, dance, you may be handed some money… just take it and say thank you! Now you are partying like a true PERSIAN
Kvon’s TEDtalk on NOWRUZ: Check out the link here! https://www.facebook.com/KvonComedy/videos/10154015393543320/
Thanks checking out NOWRUZ aka Noruz aka Nahruz aka Navruz aka Nooruz aka Noorus aka _____________ fill in your spelling here (LOL)!
-Kvon
K-vonComedy.com
(for more on the holiday watch K-von’s clips on www.GoFundMe.com/NOWRUZ)
