Women’s Impact On Novruz
We can learn a lot from the beautiful world of tradition; particularly the notion of family ties and community
Novruz is celebrated by everyone, from the little boys and girls to the elderly women and aksakals. Most celebrations, especially those that involve food preparation and presentation, family gatherings and decoration rely heavily on the hands and backs of women. In this article, I will express the influence women have made on this celebration but it does not mean that men do not partake and bring value to Novruz.
Novruz is a communal celebration, where family and friends get together, which means, the essential labour of putting beautiful food on the table is made by women; mothers, wives and daughters rather than the fathers, husbands and brothers. Precisely this responsibility is expected of the women and not the men, in most eastern cultures; especially those that celebrate Novruz (Nawruz, Nooruz, Nevruz, Nauryz etc) like in Central Asian and Persian countries.
It is a whole process of dedication and effort to go out, pick the food items, and spend hours cooking and preparing the food. Eastern families are big so the amount cooked is always a lot. It takes hours, if not days to prepare the food. The anchor and the emotional value of warmth, comfort and love in a family, stems from women. Traditional gender roles still live up to this day in Persian, Turkic, and Central Asian families, therefore, it must be acknowledged the value of women in the scope of the wonderful celebration of Novruz.
Although I am still learning about the customs of Novruz and other Persian, Central Asian and Turkic traditions and cultures, I grew up in a household where my mother and grandmother as well as other women in my family up-kept some Eastern traditions. The influence from my mother’s side is much stronger, therefore the customs and foods of Turkmen and Azeri origins are still more prevalent in my family. I grew up watching the women in my family cooking and creating hearty dishes for the whole family to eat. I was exposed to the major female power women possess in the household and therefore find it inspiring. The notion of hospitality, modesty, generosity, compassion and a sense of enjoyment is imbued in my native culture when it comes to family gatherings and celebrations. 300 million people worldwide celebrate Novruz.
Spring symbolises rebirth, a fresh start, vitality, growth and creativity. Spring feels like such a major shift; from the weather to lifestyle. Coming out of hibernation and back into society, new opportunities, and more activities, the sun is shining, the weather is warming up, therefore the mood brightens, making people more excited to commune. As with most traditions, the major Eastern celebrations, the effort and influence of the women are strong, after all, without them, the warmth, beauty and community would not be possible. A woman is the driving force of the traditions and celebrations. The men are merely there to enjoy the outcome. Women do all of this strenuous work, even if they enjoy the process, and never complain. Women are considered nurturers, creators, sources of positive and soft energy, and a haven that can provide compassion. Being a mother, a wife, a good daughter or simply just a good, helpful woman is important in Eastern countries, especially those of predominantly Muslim faith, therefore, the importance of being someone who can cook, clean, and manage a household is important. But it is not often celebrated, a woman is always a multi-hyphenate, someone who multitasks, and juggles so many roles and expectations. A man does not, a man’s basic responsibility should be to work hard and provide financially. It is understandable why in Western culture, it is more appealing for a man to be able to take on the responsibilities and be able to successfully cook, clean and partake in caring for his children, and be a good role model too, but these assets, in most cases, still falls on the backs of women by default even in the west. That is why I want to commemorate this wonderful celebration of spring, this Persian new year, to women, their power, excellence, influence and history.
Women hold a lot of power in the kitchen, it is their space of influence and empowerment. Those who think women in traditional roles are trapped are sometimes wrong, in many cases, women are happy to be traditional wives. They find their empowerment in the house, cooking, cleaning, shopping and organising. Since the beginning of time, women found ways to practice creativity, and innovations and capitalise off of their cooking skills and recipes (making books, tutorials, lessons), their knitting, embroidery, jewellery, textile and beauty remedies, also holistic healers, nannies and caretakers. All of these roles have become jobs, therefore the natural purposes of women have become commodities that they can benefit from in and outside the home.
The tradition of Novruz originates from the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, which is classified as an Iranian religion sourced by the Iranian prophet Zoroaster since circa the 2nd millennium BCE. So around 3000 years. Due to the Iranian roots, ethnically Persian countries and Central Asian countries are heavily influenced but the religion and subsequently Novruz, therefore the spiritualistic element is more celebrated rather than the religion as a whole, as other more popular religions are focused on in modern-day. This religion predates Islam and Christianity. The beauty of Novruz is that it is an international tradition that can be celebrated by many around the world, no matter where they live. Larger communities outside their countries of origin (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), organise events in London, Texas and Toronto to stay connected to their roots despite the separation. Typically Novruz is celebrated on the first day of the vernal equinox, aka the first official day of spring and lasts for 13 days, honouring a fresh season of abundance. Inviting friends and family to spend quality time together, and host parties is very much encouraged. It is a beautiful celebration full of vibrancy and colour, which too is typically a feminine aspect of expression, like the colourful design and prints on national dress and big expressive dances. Furthermore, this tradition, because it is not exclusive to one nationality or group of people, creates a sense of peace and solidarity among the Persian, Turkic and Central Asian groups. This sense of community is amazing to be part of and as a Turkmen-born woman, who was raised in a female-dominated family internationally, it makes me excited and proud to be part of this community and history. Novruz is a great and inclusive celebration to acknowledge before the more popular and widespread Christian holiday: Easter, which is commemorated at the end of March. March is a blessed and wonderful month of celebration with Novruz, Easter, Mother’s Day, Women’s Day and also just International Women’s Month. Therefore, women, in March, more than ever, must focus on self-care, self-development and self-love.
Novruz foods vary from one ethnicity and region to another but typically the tables feature wheat grass, sumalak, decorated eggs, flowers, dried nuts and fruit. I also enjoy Shor-Gogal and Pakhlava as well as Kyata as snacks. More fundamental substantial dishes in Persian cuisine feature Sabzi Polo, Ghormeh Sabzi and Kuku Sabzi (which I am a big fan of) or any kind of ethnic plov that applies to your ethnic group (in my case it would be Azeri or Turkmen plov). Plov (pilaf, pilau) is a staple in any Persian and Central Asian-influenced cuisine.
It is beautiful to explore a few deities and goddesses in Zoroastrianism that promote the notions of spring, renewal, rebirth, growth, nature and nurture. I love looking up various goddesses from all religions and faiths, especially those rooted in spiritualism. They are inspired by what they represent and promote. The worship of female entities is nothing new so it is fun to infuse that into my own beliefs and goals, and what it means to be a woman. These are three goddesses in Zoroastrianism that generally represent spring, renewal, vitality and abundance: Aredvi Sura Anahita, Spenta Armaiti, and Tishtrya (Tir).
Now more than ever women must focus on rejuvenation, bringing newness and positivity into their lives, abandon the fear of change and new opportunities, and create new things for themselves. Like shedding old skin, coming out of hibernation and embracing change, challenges and a new season for nature and life. It is never too late to learn, to experience and create something. We know when a woman is thriving the world responds verbatim. When a mother is suffering, struggling and sick, her children as result suffer too. When a woman has vitality, it imprints on her children. It is important to support, celebrate and cherish the women in our lives. They do so much. The kitchen is a safe space for women, women for centuries have been preparing food in groups without the influence or presence of men, where they can feel free to chat, gossip, sing, laugh and build rapport. Through food preparation, women grow closer together. From textile making, jewellery making, food preparation, washing and cleaning, women build physical strength too. It is a natural act of power, self-expression and development.
I wish everyone, who celebrates, a happy and cheery Novruz in the presence of family and friends!
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