A week ahead of Nawroz, Kabul becomes crowded

KABUL (Pajhwok): Amid hopes for a peaceful year ahead, Kabul markets have become more crowed and colorful and demand for fish, dried fruits and other local food and fruits has increased exactly one week before the Nawroz, the first day of new solar year.

People go to bazaars ahead of Nawroz to purchase dried fruits --- walnut, pistachio, almond, sanjat, raisin --- to prepare its combination called Haft Mewa (seven-fruits). People also purchase fish and sweets to celebrate the new year and serve the guests.

In Afghanistan, it is a tradition that family of groom visits the bride family with gifts, fresh and dried fruits and spends time together. Many families also visit the city to buy gift and presents.

Nawroz celebration is a historic tradition in Afghanistan and goes back to thousands of years back, but decades of war and conflict has affected Nawroz celebrations like other traditions in the country and people now evince little interest.

Youth hopes for peaceful year ahead

Maryam, 18, who visited the city alongside her mother for shoping, said: “We prepare Haft Mewa in every Nawroz, we wear new clothes and buy cakes and other sweets.”

Holding new clothes and haft mewa in a bag, she said: “We celebrate Nawroz night and pray for the well-being of our family and establishment of peace”.

She said they hoped the coming new solar year 1400 would bring along peace and stability to the country and current war comes to an end.

Mohammad Hanif Ansar, another youth who visited the city for buying fruits and clothes, said: “I bought dried fruits for preparing Haft Mewa, it is something traditional and old. We prepare it every year and never forget them.”

He said preparing Samank was another local tradition during Nawroz that people do. “Our family members also prepare Samank and we celebrate the new year.”

Nawroz for engaged couples

Bibi Gul, 55, is one of the women visiting Kabul market for shopping. She said: “We come here to buy gifts for our bride and go to our in-laws house.”

She said the gifts included clothes, make up tools and gold, adding that fruits, fish and sweets would be purchased later.

She said next year in the spring, the marriage was planned “May Allh bring peace to our country and bless the footprints of my bride in our home.”

Fish and Julabi sellers

Syed Akbar, a fish seller in the Nader Pashton Jada, said: “Last year exactly this time when coronavirus was on rise demand for fish had surged.”

“Last year we sold up to 70 kilograms of fish daily, but this year we sell up to 700 kilograms.”

He said last year the price of one kilogram of fish considering its quality was 180 to 250 afs while this year the price jumped with one kilogram of fish from 200 to 300 kilograms. The quality of fish varies, he added.

Feroz who has a Julabi shop in the Nader Pashton Jada said on the eve of Nawroz, demand for julabi also increases.

“The price of one kilogram of Julabi reached 80 afs.”

Nh/ma