Kurdish Newroz, celebrated as the Kurdish New Year, takes place around the Spring Equinox, typically on March 21st. It is a vibrant festival that symbolizes new beginnings and is steeped in cultural significance, particularly within Kurdish communities across Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran. This year, the festival will be a one-day event celebrated on Sunday at 6 AM, culminating with a return in the evening

The festivities include cultural and historical activities, emphasizing traditional practices like family gatherings, bonfires, and symbolic rituals dating back to ancient times. Participants are encouraged to bring essentials such as travel bags, personal identification, and hygiene items, while it is recommended to carry a camera and sunscreen for the journey

Notably, Kurds observe various customs during Newroz, including planting seeds a month prior as a symbol of fertility and renewal. The “Chaharshanbe Suri” celebration, marking the Wednesday before Newroz, features bonfires where people jump over flames to signify good luck and health for the upcoming year. The narrative surrounding Newroz involves legendary figures like Kaveh, the blacksmith, who is said to have toppled a tyrant and symbolized freedom, making Newroz a powerful symbol of Kurdish identity and resilience in the face of adversity

For an immersive experience of this ancient celebration, consider joining a Kurdish Newroz tour, which promises not just exploration of beautiful landscapes but also participation in festivities that encapsulate the essence of Kurdish culture

نوروز کوردی

Tour de Noruz Kurdo en Irán

احتفال نوروز الكردي

Kurdish Newroz

تورێکی نوروژ کوردی بۆ نوروزی کوردی لە ئێران

Nowruz, an ancient festival filled with color and rituals, is celebrated magnificently all over Iran. However, in Kurdistan, this celebration takes on a different charm; a celebration that begins in Esfand and promises a spring filled with excitement and joy through its unique customs.

House Cleaning; The Start of Nowruz in Kurdistan
Everything begins with house cleaning. In the villages of Kurdistan, a few days before the holiday, the walls of homes blackened by the winter oven are whitened. Carpets are taken outside, shaken, and if the weather is suitable, washed. In the city of Saqez, people believe that this act not only cleans the house but also drives away the pain and misfortunes of the past year, allowing the new year to start afresh.

In cities, Nowruz shopping begins a month in advance. Families go to the market, buy fabric, and give it to the tailor to sew new clothing for their children. Nowruz essentials are not forgotten: oil, rice, meat, eggs, sweets, fruits, and nuts. In the past, each family was obliged to collect wood for the village, a custom that is now rarely seen.

Sprout; A Symbol of Life and Renewal
In Kurdistan, the Nowruz sprout, known as “Semeny” in Kurdish, holds special significance. About a month before Nowruz, families plant wheat, chickpeas, lentils, and sesame in trays, covering them with cloth to help them sprout. Some sprinkle sesame on cloth wrapped around a bottle or clay jar, watering them to ensure the sprouts grow beautifully.

When the sprouts are ready, it’s time to decorate them. Red ribbons are wrapped around the sprout dish, and small pieces of fabric cut into shapes are hung from the sprout leaves. In some areas, the center of the sprout dish is left empty so, on the holiday, a rosewater container can be placed there to welcome guests with rosewater

Colored Eggs; A Symbol of Joy and the Colorfulness of Life
A few days before the holiday, eggs are dyed. In the villages, onion skins, vine leaves, straw, and alum are used to color the eggs, yielding yellow, orange, brown, and pink hues. In some areas, eggs are wrapped in patterned cloth and boiled so that the beautiful designs transfer onto the eggs.

In cities, colorful powders have replaced traditional methods. The eggs are decorated after being cooked with cotton balls soaked in dye, and sometimes the names of loved ones or special occasions are written on them.

Game “Hilke Shekini”; A Joyful Competition with Eggs
During Nowruz, playing with boiled eggs in Kurdistan is very popular. This game can be played in two ways: in the first method, two players knock their eggs together, and whoever’s egg breaks loses. In the second method, players line up their eggs in a row and take turns knocking them. Whoever’s eggs finish last becomes the winner and keeps all the broken eggs.

Last Friday of the Year; Commemoration of Lost Loved Ones
On the last Friday of the year, the people of Kurdistan visit the graves of their loved ones. On this day, families take trays of dates, halva, or local cookies called “Bersaq” to the graves to honor their memories. In Bijar County, people believe that the spirits of their dead return to their homes on this night, and if they smell food, they realize their families have not forgotten them.

“Tabagh Kashi” and “Nowruzane” Rituals; A Gift for Brides
One of the beautiful traditions of Nowruz in Kurdistan is sending trays for engaged or newlywed brides. These trays, typically three to four, are filled with colorful gifts: gold, precious fabrics, socks, decorative handkerchiefs, perfumes, various foods, sweets, nuts, and colored eggs. These gifts, known as “Nowruzane,” are taken to the bride’s family home on the afternoon of the last day of the year.

New Year’s Eve; Fire and Joy
As night falls, fires are lit, and the sound of firecrackers and fireworks can be heard from every house and alley. Families that are in mourning do not light a fire, but neighbors go up to their roofs and light fires. On New Year’s Eve, dinner in most parts of Kurdistan is halva, a dish that sweetens and blesses the new year.

Shal Dropping; A Joyful Ritual on New Year’s Eve
In the Kurdish villages, children and young people drop their shawls from the eaves or holes in the houses, singing songs to ask for Nowruz gifts. Homeowners usually throw dates, raisins, or almonds into a corner of the shawl, and the children pull the shawl back up. This ritual, called “Shal Dropping,” adds a special excitement to New Year’s Eve.

Haft-Seen; A Colorful Table
In Kurdistan, the Haft-Seen table was not very common in the past, but today in some families, this table is set up with all its symbols. The mirror, the Quran, sprouts, dyed eggs, red fish, and sweets are placed on the table, along with coins, vinegar, senjed, garlic, apples, and sumac.

Kusa Barneshin; A Joyful and Fun Ceremony
In some regions of Kurdistan, the “Kusa Barneshin” ceremony is held during Nowruz. Kusa is a local villager who, dressed in silly clothes with wooden horns, goes around the village with his wife, entertaining people with funny moves and jokes. Every family that the Kusa visits gives him gifts like dried fruits, oil, or eggs.

Sizdah Bedar; A Day for Nature
In Kurdistan, Sizdah Bedar is celebrated with special enthusiasm. Families go early in the morning to the plains and mountains, spending the day in nature with Kurdish music and dance. The food for this day is usually grilled meat or a local dish called “Kalane.” At the end of the day, the sprouts are returned to nature, and pebbles are thrown behind them to signify warding off misfortune.

Nowruz in Kurdistan is a celebration filled with color, joy, and beautiful rituals, each telling a story of life, hope, and rebirth.