Sananvarren

Sananvarren refers to a traditional Kyrgyz ritual and celebration. The event is one of the major holidays in the Kyrgyz calendar, marking the beginning of the new solar year.

The name Sananvarren can be broken down into the Persian words "san" meaning one hundred and "varren" meaning waves or helpers. The celebration is deeply connected to the country's nomadic heritage and is observed in late January or early February, with the exact timing depending on the lunar calendar.

During Sananvarren, families and communities come together to offer prayers and services to commemorate the occasion. Traditional food and drinks, including milk and wheat-based products, are consumed. Hunting dogs and horses are said to be decked in bright colors, and their permission is sought before the hunt, respecting the animal's sacred status.

The heart of the celebration revolves around the lighting of bonfires, where people dance, sing, and hop alongside flames, acknowledging the renewal of the coming year. The festival features women playing the long-necked lute, gusle, and also singing and performing traditional dances, particularly Shashmaqam. The Kyrgyz are united in acknowledging the arrival of spring, the life-giving effect of the sun, the myth related to the people emerging from the mountains, and the relationship of New Year and older solar year and the arrival of Saint Rock aforementioned Hordan.

Traditionally, masquerade games and other entertainment are crucial components, reinforcing regional unity. The outcome is the revitalization of spirit.