Nowruz Khani, or singing for Nowruz, is a
Tabari Gilani Gilani or Gillani is a toponymic surname (nisba) linked to the Gilan Province in Iran. It is also used by people indicating association with the founder of the Qadiriyya Sufi order Abdul Qadir Gilani. Notable people with the surname (or variants) i ...
tradition in which in the latest days of the year before the Persian New Year (
Nowrooz
Nowruz ( fa, نوروز, ; ), zh, 诺鲁孜节, ug, نەۋروز, ka, ნოვრუზ, ku, Newroz, he, נורוז, kk, Наурыз, ky, Нооруз, mn, Наурыз, ur, نوروز, tg, Наврӯз, tr, Nevruz, tk, Nowruz, ...
), people go at the door of their neighbors and sing songs about the impending coming of the spring. According to this tradition, people hold
lantern
A lantern is an often portable source of lighting, typically featuring a protective enclosure for the light sourcehistorically usually a candle or a wick in oil, and often a battery-powered light in modern timesto make it easier to carry and h ...
s and pay visit to all the houses in their neighborhood, while clattering two piece of wood together. When they come at a door they take permission for Nowruz Khani by singing: "O my sire, first I say you hail, O good-thought person, grant us an opportunity to sing some words to you". And if they get permission, which is usually the case except when the household visited is mourning for a deceased person or facing other extenuating circumstances, they sing songs
eulogizing
A eulogy (from , ''eulogia'', Classical Greek, ''eu'' for "well" or "true", ''logia'' for "words" or "text", together for "praise") is a speech or writing in praise of a person or persons, especially one who recently died or retired, or as ...
the
Imam
Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...
s of
Shiite Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s. In return, they will be given a gift such as money, rice, or eggs.
Usually Nowruz Khans or singers, give a green stick of "shamshad" tree as a symbol for fortune to the household, and if they were not at home, put it in the porch of the house.
References
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Mazandaran Province
Gilan Province