Seasonal

Winter in Afghanistan is short. The first night of winter is called Yalda.

Afghan people celebrate Yalda night by wearing traditional clothes and singing Yalda songs. On that night, they also prepare warm food, watermelon, pomegranate, nuts, and cake. Families gather indoors and enjoy this night because it is one minute longer than the other nights (Winter’s Solstice). During winter, if there is snow, people become very happy, especially farmers because Afghanistan has a dry climate. Before winter starts, they plant wheat and other grains. During winter, farmers pray and are grateful for rain and snow. In years when there is plenty of rain and snow, farmers are very happy.

Since old times, people have had a special tradition during snowy days. When people wake up early in the morning and see snow, they put a little snow in a box and give it to a friend or family member. If the person does not realize that the box contains snow, they must prepare a party and cook different foods. Young people also play in the snow outside. They build snowmen, and they make small snowballs and playfully throw them at each other.

In Afghanistan, people use a kursi during the winter (a rectangular table with a heater underneath and a big blanket on top). It is very interesting because it brings the whole family together. Every night they drink tea with nuts, and warm fruits, and enjoy talking.

Afghan people also have a special winter food called kichery gosht land (dry lamb meat with rice and mung beans). Before winter starts, people dry lamb meat, and during winter they cook this dish.

When I was in Afghanistan, I enjoyed the winter season because the nights were long, and every week we had a party with my sister, my uncle’s daughter, and my aunt's daughter.

In Afghanistan, winter starts on December 21. Similarly, in Canada, winter also begins in December.

Canadian people celebrate Christmas, while Afghan people celebrate Yelda night. On one hand, winter in Canada is very long, but on the other hand, in Afghanistan it is very short. In Canada, people enjoy many outdoor activities because the country has great places for skiing, ice hockey, ice skating, and tobogganing. In contrast, in Afghanistan people have fewer outdoor activities, and usually enjoy indoor gatherings during winter. On weekends they gather, have parties, and spend time together.

Winter in Canada is very different from winter in my home country. When I arrived in Canada, I saw snow many times, and it was very interesting for me. However, during these three years, I couldn’t go outside to have fun because I have children and they got the flu many times. In the future, I hope I can enjoy outdoor activities with my kids.