Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz

Bekzat Zhanybaev

There are many popular traditional festivals in our world, and every community and nations celebrate their own. They mark these celebrations even when they are away from their home country, and some of them go back in order to visit their families. The Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz are two happy celebrations that represent a new start and a positive outlook for the future. Nowruz is originated from Persian tradition and it marks Persian New Year and celebrates the arrival of the spring, symbolizing the renewal, a fresh start, and victory of light over darkness. Similarly, The Chinese Spring Festival is also known as a Lunar New Year and/or Chinese New Year, and it is a time for family to get together, feasting and the honoring of ancestors. Both festivals show the rich cultures and a desire for human for renewal and happiness.

The culture of Kyrgyzstan is dynamic, rich, and firmly based on nomadic customs. In Kyrgyz society, family and community are very important because they promote close relationships and a sense of togetherness. Guests are frequently treated with a great deal of respect and kindness, which is why hospitality is highly regarded. Numerous facets of Kyrgyz culture are influenced by the traditional nomadic lifestyle. The yurt, a transportable home constructed of wood and felt, represents a place of welcome and warmth. Livestock herding by nomads, especially with regard to horses, sheep, and yaks, continues to be a vital aspect of the local economy and way of life.

In Kyrgyz culture, music and dance are very important. Lively folk dances are accompanied by traditional instruments like the komuz, a three-stringed instrument. Epic poetry, which tells tales of bravery and courage, is prized as a sign of national identity. One example of this is the Manas epic. The robust meals like beshbarmak, a beef and noodle dish, and kumis, fermented mare’s milk, are reflections of the nomadic background in the cuisine. Social gatherings are not complete without tea, which is frequently offered with sweets like chak-chak (fried dough with honey). Throughout the year, the Kyrgyz people celebrate a number of festivals and holidays, such as Kurman Ait (Eid al-Adha), which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the Persian New Year. These festivities promote a strong sense of cultural pride and identity by showcasing traditional practices in music, food, and celebration. All things considered, the culture of the Kyrgyz people is a stunning tapestry woven with centuries’ worth of tradition, capturing their tenacity and energy.

Spring festival in China is one of the most popular and largest celebration in our planet. Every year many people come to their home country , China , in order to celebrate the New Year according to the lunar calendar with their families. According to the book “Spring Festival” tourist should be aware of the all features of the busy festival time and plan their movements in China during this period in advance. Chinese spring festival starts on February third. The festival period lasts 40 days in China, from February 19th to February 27th. It is a good time for citizens of the country to get home on time, and the transport system to handle with the influx of people. According to the “Spring Festival” Chinese families often cook different traditional dishes during the Spring Festival. Some popular dishes include fish, dumplings, rice cakes, spring rolls and traditional noodles. These foods have a symbolic meanings related to good luck, longevity and success, and it makes them essential parts of the celebration. In addition to, families might prepare other favorite dishes to share during the festive gatherings.

Meeting The New Year is an ancient tradition. These days , thousands of fireworks are launched into the sky, various processions and carnivals are held.  Chinese families decorate their homes for the holiday, and shops and restaurants offer traditional New Year dishes. Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz are two significant cultural celebration which have great importance in their respective countries. Moreover, they may have some similarities as well as differences that make unique festivals. Chinese Spring Festival is known as a Chinese New Year as well, it is a traditional festival, usually celebrated by Chinese people all over the world. And It’s the start of the lunar calendar, and it’s a time when families come together and remember their ancestors. The festival is characterized by different decorations , such as red lanterns and paper cutting, they symbolize good luck and fortune. Traditional activities during this festival include lion and dragon dances, fireworks, and the exchange of red envelopes with  money.

On the other hand, Kyrgyz Nowruz is a traditional festival celebrated by the Kyrgyz people in Central Asia. Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian. It marks the coming of spring and the rebirth of nature. It is the time for coming together to clean themselves, forgive others, and enjoy life. They dance, sing, and do fun things to celebrate their culture. This festival is characterized by the preparation and sharing some traditional food, dishes, such as sumalak that is needed one whole day to cook. While the Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz have their unique customs and traditions, they also share some similarities. Both festivals are about families and communities getting together. People celebrate, eat together, and give each other presents.

In conclusion, the Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz are two culturally rich celebrations that show the unique traditions and values of their respective countries. While they have some differences , such as historical origins and specific customs. These festivals are very important for keeping traditions alive and making people feel like they belong to their community. Both Nowruz and the Chinese Spring Festival are about starting new goals and remembering how important to keep celebrating our festivals, which have deep historically originations. These celebrations remind us about all the different ways people can come together and share happiness to each other.

Work Cited

Song, Li. The Spring Festival. Paths International Ltd., 2015.

https://sbctc-lwtech.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01STATEWA_LWTC/1b1j6b7/alma991000196046202814

How to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year | Articles | CBC Kids , https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/how-to-celebrate-nowruz-the-persian-new-year

CBCnews , March 06, 2023. February 22, 2024

An introduction to the Nowruz Persian New Year festival

https://youtu.be/5Zqui5sC_mQ?si=XjxRQZVgjzqSRP26 , March 24, 2020, February 22, 2024.

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Chinese Spring Festival and Kyrgyz Nowruz Copyright © 2024 by Bekzat Zhanybaev is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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