• About Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Culture
Menu

Afghan Culture Unveiled

  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Culture
afghancultureunveiled.jpg
Haftseen2
Haftseen2

NOWROZ STORIES - MY AFGHAN AMERICAN LIFE Part 1

March 19, 2014

Haft seen, meaning "Seven S's", items have symbolic meaning for a good year

A conversation with Afghan American Author, Ted speaker, Mom - Fariba Nawa

Nowroz is one of my favorite holidays. Every year we put out a Sofrah e Haft Seen.

Each of the items on the sofrah represent something about the New Year. They all begin with the Persian letter "seen," which is phonetic with s. For example, grass symbolizes rebirth and apple symbolizes health.  

Haft Seen is not common in Kabul but in Herat, where I come from, many families lay it out. My daughters help put it together by painting eggs and collecting the grass. We have a goldfish we bought for the sofrah two years ago -- now it's very big, it has become our family pet. 

We make a big deal out of Nowroz with gifts of books and clothes. We don't celebrate Christmas, so we make up for that by getting gifts for the girls and our extended family.

I usually make a big breakfast for the family. We read Hafiz and Rumi, classic poetry books, to the kids. Usually, my daughters have the entire day to play and run around. We dress in new clothes and welcome the New Year with a special dinner with our extended family.  

Fariba&Family
Fariba&Family

Fariba and her family, Naeem, Fariba, Andisha (9 months) and Bonoo (4 years) in Palo Alto - 2012

In Afghan Culture Tags Nowroz, Afghan Celebration, Afghan New Year, Afghan Women, Fariba Nawa
← NOWROZ STORIES - MY AFGHAN AMERICAN LIFE Part 2AFGHAN FRUIT MEDLEY - HAFT MEWA FOR NOWROZ →

Find Me On


      Humaira opens the world to Afghan culture and cuisine through this blog. She shares the wonders of Afghanistan through stories of rich culture, delicious food and her family’s traditions. Learn more about    Humaira’s work .

 

Humaira opens the world to Afghan culture and cuisine through this blog. She shares the wonders of Afghanistan through stories of rich culture, delicious food and her family’s traditions. Learn more about Humaira’s work.


Enter your email address to receive news and updates.

Thank you!

My Recipes Appear In

 

FOOD52

Mom’s Kitchen Handbook ~ Blog

San Francisco Chronicle

“The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul” ~ A Novel

"Turmeric - The Wonder Spice" ~ A Cookbook"

Foreign Policy Magazine

Veggie Belly ~ Blog

"Giving - Student" ~ A Cookbook

Ingredient Matcher ~ Blog

Afghana ~ Blog 

Book Club Cheerleader ~ Blog 

Cornish Pasty ~ Blog 

Rhubarbarian ~ Blog 

Dietician Without Borders ~ Blog 

"Yogurt Culture" ~ A Global Look at How to Make, Bake, Sip and Chill the World's Creamiest, Healthiest Food

 

PLEASE MAKE PRESS AND SPEAKING INQUIRIES AT:

humairaghilzai@gmail.com or by phone 415-269-5252

Powered by Squarespace