By Nergiz Aziz
When I was young, I remember we stood around a fire and we sang the song “Newroz.” We wore traditional Kurdish clothes and had picnics with our families. Newroz is the “first day of spring,” March 21, and it is an important tradition in our culture. Today, languages and traditions are threatened by assimilation and political restrictions, but we need to preserve Newroz for future generations.
Newroz in Schools and at Home
I work as an educator, and I think Newroz should be a natural part of education, both in Kurdistan and in the diaspora. Children should hear the story of Kawa the Blacksmith, about how he fought against oppression and lit the fire for freedom. The songs and the dances are important parts of their heritage, and they should feel proud of it.
We must speak Kurdish at home, read stories about Newroz to our children, and make them feel that Newroz is fun and exciting, even if they are growing up far from Kurdistan. I don’t want these traditions to go away.
Newroz as a Political Symbol
For many, Newroz is also a political act. In several parts of Kurdistan, the festivities have been banned, but our people still celebrate it with songs and dances.
We cannot take our culture for granted. It is our right to celebrate our identity, both in our homelands and in exile.
I hope Newroz can exist in the future as well.