The Bukhari community celebrated Nowruz today in a popular celebration organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan. The celebrations were held in Or Yehuda, where there is a large concentration of immigrants from Bukhara.
Nowruz is Rosh Hashanah and the Persian Spring Festival, but it is also celebrated outside of Persia. Nowruz is also celebrated by Jews in all Central Asian countries, and of course by non-Jews as well. The original date is March 21, which is the day of the equinox, and when spring begins. In Asian countries, the holiday is celebrated with music and dancing and eating, and after a dairy holiday meal, they go to visit neighbors’ houses and parade in the streets. If the weather permits, then we do it in mass picnics outside the cities.
Some of the crowd came to the celebration in Or Yehuda dressed in traditional costumes of colorful silk dresses or velvet fabric with gold embroidery. Some of the men came dressed in a traditional robe called Juma, and on their heads a Kulkh or Dupe cap, which is called in Israel “Bukhari cap”. A Bukhari orchestra of big trumpets and big drums welcomed us with Bukhari tunes, and women began to dance and dance to the rhythm of the music.
The Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Israel, Mrs. Feruza Makhmudova, explained the meaning of the holiday and its customs in Tashkent and Bukhara. “It’s like Rosh Hashanah with you,” said the ambassador, “and with us we emphasize blessings for health and prosperity.” The ambassador said that on this occasion they also mark 30 years since the beginning of diplomatic relations with Israel. She also noted that the number of direct flights between Nabvi and Tashkent and Samarkand will increase significantly this summer, and invited the audience to come visit Uzbekistan. She ended her remarks by thanking the municipality of Or Yehuda for hosting the celebration.
The municipality of Or Yehuda hosted the celebration and the Uzbek embassy, city council member Zhanna Cohen gave a congratulatory speech and said it was an honor for Or Yehuda to host these traditional celebrations.
For the celebration in Or Yehuda they also brought authentic Uzbek foods and delicacies, Uzbek raisins, candied almonds, and other sweets that I don’t know. Dairy sandwiches and yellow and white cheese cubes were also served. In a nearby room, Uzbeks served meat. After the buffet meal, the audience moved to the theater hall for an artistic performance. Kardans appeared there in folkloristic folk dances to the sounds of folk songs.
