Print

    Navroz: The Blossoming of a New Day

    Written by: Shahana Shah
    Posted on: April 01, 2014 | | 中文

    Table spread for Navroz

    Even the laziest and the sleepiest individual in Hunza or Gilgit would eagerly set the alarm for 5 a.m. the night before Navroz. No one wants to miss the morning of the ‘New Day,’ the beginning of spring on the 21st of March. It begins with everyone congregating for special prayers and a communal breakfast to celebrate the Persian New Year in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, perhaps most zealously so in the valley of Hunza. Though originating in ancient Persia Navroz is celebrated in different parts of the world and has its local variants.

    Although non-religious in its essence, Navroz has spiritual overtones for the Shia and Ismaili communities of Gilgit-Baltistan, as a result of the roots of their spiritual traditions in Iran and its subsequent cultural influence. The origin of Navroz in the practices of these communities goes back to the earliest celebration of this day by Salman the Persian, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)’s companion and Shehrbano, a Persian princess married to Hussain, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)’s grandson. The faith based traditions on Navroz include a recitation of the Quran, the singing of devotional poetry in Persian and the congregational recitation of the durood sharif (blessing of the Prophet, P.B.U.H). Therefore it is a spring fete as well as the mark of new spiritual awakening, signifying growth and rejuvenation in both man’s inner and outer worlds.

    Navroz: The Blossoming of a New Day

    From an apricot orchard in bloom                                                             Gilgit in Spring

    It is right around Navroz that the fruit orchards are in blossom in Gilgit, though it takes a little more time for the soft pastel shades of apricot, peach and almond flowers to bloom in Hunza which is at a higher altitude.  The air is intoxicatingly fragrant, humming with bees and full of gentle birdsong in these first warm spring days when the sun filters through the soft petals. People have been rejoicing in this burst of color following the long harsh winters of the north in different ways for generations. Some traditions have remained consistent while others have faded away with time.

    The Mirs of Hunza had an important role in the Navroz celebrations while the valley was still a tiny princely state ruled by them. As on other important occasions, a big fair would be organized with traditional men’s dancing being an integral part. The Mir would ride a horse to the Navroz fair with his entourage. He would be seated at a special throne and declare the event open. The ladies of the royal family would look on at the proceedings from high balconies. The last of the dried meat from the winter stock, called ‘old meat’, would be consumed on this special day. The tradition of drying meat in winter continues to this day and it is particularly preferred for making soup with.   

    Navroz: The Blossoming of a New Day

    Fried bread                                    Homemade bread                                           Bukak

    Two most integral and popular traditions of Navroz have still remained the same. The first is of course the special foods made on this day. A particular kind of beans, locally called bukak, is an essential item. Another dish, berikutz, is made by layering large, very thin chapattis (flat round bread) with powdered apricot kernels and apricot or walnut oil. Homemade varieties of bread, dry fruits and sweets are also part of the Navroz festivities. The other tradition is specific to women and young girls who dress in brightly colored clothes and gather in orchards or fields and hang rope swings on trees to spend a long day of swinging to their hearts’ content.  Men are barred from this enjoyment and this makes Navroz more of a girls’ day.

    Navroz: The Blossoming of a New Day

    Women celebrating Navroz in Altit, Hunza (Photograph by Shafqat Hussain)

    It is a festival for the community as well as the family. People wish each other Navroz Mubarak and a big lunch is prepared at home. Sometimes relatives may visit each other or send over food. Many even make New Year resolutions! It is truly the beginning of a new time for everyone as the confines of winter give way to the arrival of spring.

    Navroz differs from other spring festivals from around the world in its simplicity and emphasis on celebrating the spiritual. It is about a human soul letting go of the past and starting afresh, reflected in the blossoming of new life in nature. It is a time for hope and renewal, for fresh effort and continued human endeavor.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021