According to an IRNA correspondent, the ceremony has traditionally been observed on August 1, when calmer seas and favorable winds marked a new cycle of fishing, trade and maritime activities. Sailors would offer flowers, plants and tropical fruits as symbols of gratitude for the sea and prayers for safe journeys.
The tradition is particularly preserved in Salakh village on Qeshm Island, where fishermen traditionally refrain from fishing on the day, believing it marks a period of fish reproduction and the fertility of the sea.
Traditional practices include applying red soil from Hormuz Island to animals, trees, and house entrances as a symbol of blessing and protection, along with local singing and communal bathing in the sea.
Nowruz-e Darya is also accompanied by Razif, a traditional form of southern Iranian music rooted in sailors’ work songs and maritime journeys. Its forms include Azva, associated with successful fishing, Harbi, traditionally linked to surviving storms, and Liwa, reflecting commercial voyages.
Experts regard the ceremony as more than a folk celebration, describing it as part of Hormozgan’s historical memory and cultural identity.
Efforts are underway to preserve and introduce the tradition to younger generations and international audiences, alongside the preservation of Iran’s traditional boatbuilding and navigation knowledge.
IRNA