21
Navruz, the spring festival
Textbook pp. 44–45
GoalLearn about Navruz and paint a festival scene decorated with Uzbek patterns (naqsh).
New words
Navruz, the spring festival · Navro‘zsumalak (sweet wheat dish) · sumalakfolk pattern · naqshfestival, holiday · bayram
Explanation
Navruz is celebrated on 21 March. On this day day and night are equal and nature wakes up. People cook sumalak, a sweet wheat dish, and there are festivals in the streets. We decorate our picture with Uzbek patterns: in a naqsh, shapes such as leaves, flowers and twigs repeat in order.
Worked examples
Sumalak in a big pot with tulips around it; a border of blue and white flower-and-leaf pattern along the edge.
Class activity
Steps: 1) Draw a border line two fingers in from the edge of the page. 2) In the middle, draw a Navruz scene: a pot, tulips, the sun, people in festive clothes. 3) In the border, draw a pattern by repeating the same shapes in order: flower, leaf, flower, leaf. 4) Paint with spring colours. Game: “Continue the pattern”: find the next shape in a pattern on the board.
Practice
1
When is Navruz celebrated?
On 21 March
2
Which dish is cooked at Navruz?
Sumalak
3
Continue: flower, leaf, flower, leaf, …
Flower