Festivals and holidays
Afghans' love of family social events, with music and an abundance of food, is best seen at the numerous festivals which are now once again being held throughout the country.
There follows a list of the National and Islamic holidays in the Afghan calendar:
Ashura
January-March (10th day of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar)
This Shi’a Muslim holiday is a day of mourning for the martyr Husayn bin Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, whom Shi’as regard as the Prophet’s rightful successor.
Nau Roz (New Year Festival)
January-March (variable based on the Islamic calendar)
The largest and best-known festival, held throughout the country but especially popular in Mazar e Sharif, where the festivities have been known to last for up to 10 days. The people of Mazar also call this celebration Gul e Sorkh, after the abundant red tulips that grow wild around the city. Traditionally Nau Roz is a time when prizes and medals are bestowed on artists for their achievements and on farmers for their produce; buzkashi games are held in the stadium and picnics go on until late at night, with music and dancing in the parks and open grounds around shrines. Nowadays the Ministry of Information and Culture organises the concerts.
Mawleed al Nabi (The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday)
March-May (12th day of the month of Rabi al Awal of the Islamic calendar, variable based on the Islamic calendar)
On this day people attend prayers, remember the Prophet Muhammad and visit or entertain friends and family.
Labour Day
1 May, annual
A legacy of the Soviet era, Labour Day features picnics with music and dancing by the men.
Independence Day (Jesham)
19 August, annual
This day commemorates independence from the British Empire.
Ramadan
September-November (variable based on the Islamic calendar)
During Ramadan Afghans fast during daylight hours.
Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan)
October-December Variable based on the Islamic calendar
After a month of fasting for Ramadan the people celebrate with new clothes, prayers and gifts.
Eid al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
December-February (10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, variable based on the Islamic calendar)
This festival commemorates the Prophet Abraham's devotion to God through his willingness to slay his son Ismael as a sacrifice, and involves sacrifices of lambs or goats which are then given to the poor. Eid al Adha marks the beginning of the hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
Major regional festivals include the Apple Blossom Festival, a seasonal celebration to herald the coming of spring held every 23 April in Chak e Wardak District of Wardak Province; and the Mushaira (Orange Blossom Festival), held annually on 13 April in Jalalabad, which takes place under the orange trees in a royal garden and at many other shrines throughout the city. Both involve picnics and music.