Nooruz

Theatrical performance at the Alatoo Square in Bishkek

March 21 - the day of the vernal equinox - a significant astronomical and annually celebrated around the world date, which is associated with many interesting things. How was it celebrated before?

On this day, the Earth, rotating around its imaginary axis passing through the poles, while moving around the Sun, is in such a position with respect to the star that the sun's rays carrying thermal energy fall vertically on the equator. On this day, light and darkness are divided equally. In ancient times, when there were no calendars, spring was determined by the sun. It was believed that it was from this day that renewals in nature begin: the first spring thunder, swelling of buds in trees, violent germination of greenery.

The month of March was called Nooruz by the Kyrgyz. If boys were born on this day, they were traditionally called Nooruzbay or Nooruzbek, and girls were just Nooruz or Nooruzgul. If it snowed that day, it was considered a good sign. Even maiden beauty in Kyrgyz legends is compared to the white snow of Nooruz, since in March there is usually a soft fluffy snow of special whiteness.

On the day of the holiday, each family covered dalarcon - a white tablecloth with various dishes. To treat the neighbors, they prepared a traditional soup, popularly called sages, from wheat malt with the addition of flour, oil and sugar. On the eve of the holiday, people cleaned up housing, paid off debts, put up with everyone with whom they were in a quarrel. For, as the old men maintained, when Nooruz entered their homes, all sickness and misfortune must bypass them. On the night before the celebration, as a sign of wishing an abundance of milk, crops and rain, all containers were filled with milk, ayran, grain, key water; and on the day of the holiday everyone tried to be in a good mood, at meetings they enclosed each other in arms, expressed the best wishes that all hardships and troubles would pass them. People tried to dress neatly, cleanly and, if possible, in everything new.

At noon, the whole ail was going for a festivities. In the established place near the village, a bull was cut and brewed from its meat nooruz keje or chon keje - "big soup" - one of the oldest ritual dishes, which was prepared from many components: meat, fat, rice, peas, barley, wheat, corn, talcan, flour, millet, sorghum, potatoes and spices. The food was cooked in such quantity that it was enough for everyone.

After the general meal, the games “aikysh-uykysh” began, which means “meet each other”, and “audaryspek”, during which the jigits pulled each other from the saddle.

The Nooruz holiday was also not complete without sports wrestling, in which girls could participate. The girl called the jigit to the competition on the condition that if he won, he would acquire the right to her hand and heart, and if she won, the young man must obey her and fulfill any desires. Therefore, Nooruz often turned into wedding celebrations.

The day ended with a performance where two akynas competed in poems and songs. Their competitions ceased when the sun set over the horizon, when good conquers evil. After that, a large fire was arranged, and people with torches lit from it went around all the surroundings of the village, sang and danced; children jumped over the fire; and adults said: “Go away, go away, go all the misfortunes”, “New Year has come, the old year is gone” – thereby completing the holiday of spring renewal and equinox.

During the years of independence of Kyrgyzstan, the Nooruz holiday has become truly popular.

In the morning, on the central square "Alatoo" of the city of Bishkek and in all regional centers, theatrical performances begin, where the leadership of the country and the region are present, respectively, in parks, squares, folk festivals are held, horse games and competitions are held at racecourses, in courtyards, public councils for children and all residents of microdistricts organize games, as well as everyone is treated to a traditional oriental, festive dish - swimming.