Nooruz in Kyrgyzstan

Nowruz, celebrated on the spring equinox—typically March 21—is a vibrant festival marking the arrival of the new year. While originally rooted in pagan traditions, Nowruz is also a sacred occasion for Zoroastrians and is joyfully observed across Eurasia.

The festivities traditionally begin with lively music, often featuring the karnay, a long horn reminiscent of a trumpet. Celebrants set their tables with a white cloth and a variety of dishes, with sumolok being the centerpiece. Sumolok is a special dish made from cooked wheatgrass, which may be prepared with flour and oil and requires hours or even days of cooking. Small stones are added to the pot to prevent the grains from burning, and folklore holds that finding a stone in your serving brings good luck and the fulfillment of a wish. The lengthy preparation process is accompanied by communal singing, as women gather to infuse the dish with positive energy.

Children born on March 21 are often named Nooruzbek or Nooruzbay for boys and Nooruzgul for girls. Snowfall on Nowruz is considered a harbinger of good fortune and is likened to the beauty of a young girl. The night before the festival, people fill containers with spring water, milk, and grains, hoping to ensure rain and a bountiful harvest in the year ahead. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, debts are settled, and reconciliations are made as part of the pre-festival preparations.

Festivities include vibrant festivals and dances featuring national styles from various cultures that also celebrate Nowruz. No celebration is complete without equestrian events. Horse games, including archery, er enish contests, and races, are organized at venues such as the Hippodrome in Bishkek. Championship games in kok-boru, a traditional horse game, are also a highlight of the festivities.