Nowruz

It is a traditional spring celebration of Afghans that begins on the spring equinox and symbolizes the start of the season in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz derives its name from the ancient Avestan language, which means "new day," and the festival represents nature's rebirth, new life, and new beginnings.

At home, Nowruz festivals involve making Haft Mewa, a fruit salad made up of seven types of dried fruit. This is prepared instead of or in addition to the Haft Sin, which is a collection of seven objects whose names begin with the Persian letter "sin" and represent what citizens wish for the coming year.

Date: 21 March.