IntroAttention getterDid you know that the Persian New Year, better known as Nowruz, is a combination of Christmas and the New Years. Our version of Santa is known as Amoo Nowruz and he has a trusty companion named Haji Firuz.
Like Santa, Amoo Nowruz gives gifts to the children. Thesis/Transition In my speech today, I will be talking about how we set up and celebrate NowruzBefore the New Year Chahar-Shanbeh SooriBefore we even begin the spring cleaning and setting up for the new years, we celebrate an event called chahar-shanbeh soori, which literally translates to Wednesday Eve. Persians celebrate 4shanbeh soori on the eve before the last wednesday of the new year.
We celebrate this day by setting up bonfires and people jumping over it. While you jump over the fire you say a phrase ” Zardi-e man az to, Sorkhi-e to az man”. The meaning behind the phrase and the symbolism behind jumping over the fire is so you can “ burn” away the sickness and welcome in health for the new year. HaftseenAnother key thing to do before nowruz, is to set up the table known as the haftseen, which translates to the 7 “ S’s”. The 7 key things that have to be on the table are : Seeb ? apple Seer ? garlicSabzee ? wheat grassSekkeh ? coinSomagh ? persian spiceSamanu ? a sweet paste thingSenjed ? persian oliveOther objects we put on the table are “ Sombol” which is the Hyacinth flower, a mirror, goldfish, candles, colored eggs and the Quran. Everything on the table has a meaning and importance to the table, for example the goldfish represents life and the apple represents beauty and health.
Transition: after setting up the table, the next step to count down to the new years. Celebrating the New YearWhat we do on the day and for the next 13 daysTypically the day of Nowruz, people wear new clothes to start the New Year off fresh. When it actually becomes Nowruz, like anywhere else, we start by wishing a happy new year and begin kissing and hugging everyone. The people begin to exchange gifts which typically is cash or clothes. Then we celebrate Nowruz for the next 13 days.
People begin visiting families and friends and the most exciting part if your a kid especially, you receive money from all the parents. The more family and friends you visited, the more cash you go home with.
