Nowruz in Afghanistan, a Celebration That No Longer Exists

Jalal Shirzad, who grew up in Mazar-i-Sharif, witnessed the largest Nowruz celebration in Afghanistan every year. Thousands from across the country would come to this city to enjoy several days of festivities. The celebration would begin with the ancient ritual of raising the Alam at a famous shrine adorned with blue tiles, followed by gatherings featuring food, music, dance, traditional sports, and families enjoying nature. However, according to Shirzad, a 30-year-old writer from Mazar-i-Sharif, Nowruz has become just an ordinary day for many Afghans under Taliban rule. Shirzad and several other Afghans interviewed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty state that due to severe poverty and numerous restrictions imposed by the Taliban, they have no plans to celebrate Nowruz. He says, 'There is no longer any difference between Nowruz and ordinary days. People have to go to work as usual. Nowruz is not even an official holiday anymore.' The Taliban, which regained power in Kabul in August 2021, removed Nowruz from the list of official holidays in Afghanistan but stated that people could celebrate it privately if they wished. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, told Radio Free Europe at the time that Nowruz would not be officially celebrated with government programs, but there would be no 'prohibition' for private celebrations. During the previous Taliban regime in the 1990s, the group had also banned Nowruz as an 'un-Islamic' celebration. The ancient celebration of Nowruz, marking the beginning of spring and the first day of the solar new year, has been celebrated in this region for over three thousand years. Many Afghans, especially women, say that despite the Taliban's claims of 'freedom for people to celebrate Nowruz,' the numerous restrictions of this regime have effectively eliminated the possibility of a real celebration. The Taliban has banned music and prohibited women from going to public parks and recreational centers. Women must also adhere to strict dress codes and should not have their voices heard in public spaces; a law announced by the Taliban late last year. Mursal, a Kabul resident who only provided her first name for security reasons, says that Nowruz, this beloved celebration, has become meaningless for Afghans under Taliban rule, and she has no choice but to ignore it. She states, 'Since the Taliban came to power, I have not celebrated Nowruz. We used to go on picnics, spend time with family and friends, but now women are banned from doing all these things. All the excitement of Nowruz has disappeared under the shadow of the Taliban.' In the past, Afghan families would start preparing for the celebration days in advance. One of the most important traditions was cooking Samanak (a sweet dish made from wheat sprouts). Families would also prepare Haft Mewa, a special Nowruz dish made from seven types of dried fruits soaked in rosewater and cardamom. However, Mohammad Tahir, a Kabul resident, says that most Afghans are struggling even to buy basic necessities, let alone prepare special Nowruz foods. He says, 'The real Nowruz is now just a memory. We used to buy new clothes, go shopping for fruits, have fun, but all of this has disappeared.' Written by Farangis Najibullah, based on interviews conducted by Asadullah Lodin, a Radio Free Europe reporter.