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Janda-yi Sakhi
The ceremony of raising the Janda-yi Sakhi at the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif
The ceremony of raising the Janda-yi Sakhi at the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif
TimeMarch 21 (Nawruz)
PlaceAfghanistan, Pakistan
OriginEvent of Ghadir Khumm
Symbolic
Meaning		Commemoration of the banner of Imam Ali (a)


Janda-yi Sakhī (Persian: جَنْدَه سخی) is the ceremony of raising the symbolic banner of Imam Ali (a), observed annually on Nawruz at religious sites throughout Afghanistan. The "Bayraq-i Sakhi" (Sakhi's Banner) consists of a tall, heavy flagpole adorned with green fabrics, Quranic verses, and sacred Islamic names. It is hoisted with religious fervor by the populace, particularly athletes (pahlawans), amidst chants of "Ya Ali Madad". This ceremony is regarded as a commemoration and celebration of the solar date of Eid al-Ghadir.

While the Janda-yi Sakhi ceremony is observed in most Afghan cities, particularly in Shi'a-majority areas, it is celebrated with particular grandeur at the Blue Mosque of Mazar-i-Sharif and the Sakhi Shrine in Kabul. This ritual is also performed in Parachinar, Pakistan.

Introduction and History

The flag-raising ceremony at the Sakhi Shrine in Kabul

The ceremony of raising the Janda-yi Sakhi, also referred to as "Afrashtan-i Jahanda"[1] or "Jahanda Bala",[2] is a traditional religious festival held annually on the first day of Nawruz. The people of Afghanistan honor this day by hoisting a massive flag over shrines and religious sites. The "Janda" is a standard decorated with green cloth,[3] symbolizing the banner of Imam Ali (a).[4] It is inscribed with the La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun Rasul Allah, 'Aliun Wali Allah, and the names of Allah, Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, and Husayn (a). Centered on the fabric is the verse "Victory from Allah and a near conquest" (Quran 61:13).[5] "Sakhi" (The Generous) is a titular epithet for Imam Ali (a) commonly used by the people of Afghanistan.

This ceremony ranks among the most significant national observances in Afghanistan[6] and stands as one of the premier religious rites on the first day of spring, attended by government and military officials, foreign dignitaries, and the general public.[7]

The ritual commences with the recitation of Quranic verses and a prayer service, followed by addresses from religious and academic figures.[8] Subsequently, the flag is raised by athletes and youths with great enthusiasm; they chant "Ya Ali Madad" while pulling the ropes attached to the flagpole.[9] As the banner ascends, respectful music plays, accompanied by ceremonial cannon fire.[10] Once hoisted, the ceremony concludes with "manqibat-khwani" (the singing of praises), during which eulogies honoring Imam Ali (a) are recited.[11]

Shi'a Muslims raise this standard to commemorate the banner of the Imamate and Caliphate of Imam Ali (a),[12] regarding it as a representation of the rāyat (flag) of Imam Ali (a). They view the ceremony as a memorialization of Eid al-Ghadir and the succession of Imam Ali (a).[13] Due to the chronological alignment of Nawruz with the solar anniversary of Eid al-Ghadir,[14] the ritual is most prominent in Mazar-i-Sharif at the Blue Mosque and the shrine known as Ziyarat-i Sakhi—attributed to 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)[15]—as well as in Kabul at the Sakhi Shrine, and cities such as Sar-i Pol and Bamyan.[16] Furthermore, the banner is hoisted in Jalalabad, Herat, Ghazni, and the majority of Afghanistan's provinces.[17]

The hoisting of the Janda-yi Sakhi in Kabul marks the commencement of the "Mila-yi Sakhi" (Sakhi's Festival),[18] while in Mazar-i-Sharif, it initiates the "Mila-yi Gul-i Surkh" (Red Flower Festival), symbolizing the synthesis of religious beliefs with traditional Nawruz rituals.[19]

Origin

Raising the banner on the first day of Nawruz in Parachinar

Tradition holds that this ceremony became customary in 1909 (1288 Sh), when Na'ib Muhammad 'Alam Khan constructed edifices around the Sakhi Shrine in Mazar-i-Sharif. He utilized sturdy timber from the forests of Transoxiana to construct the banner's flagpole, after which the practice spread to other cities throughout Afghanistan.[20]

The gathering gradually gained prominence, and since the reign of Zahir Shah, the last king of Afghanistan, numerous politicians and scholars have participated.[21] In recent years, this ceremony has been observed by the Afghan diaspora in various cities worldwide,[22] and is also held in the Parachinar region of Pakistan, which is inhabited by a Shi'a population.[23]

Folk Beliefs

It is reported that the people of Afghanistan believe that if the flag rises vertically without tilting, the coming year will be prosperous; conversely, if it tilts to the left during the ascent, the new year may bring unfortunate events.[24] There is also a prevailing belief that on this day, the blind may regain their sight, the sick may be healed, and the needs of the indigent will be fulfilled.[25] Consequently, devotees attempt to attach pieces of cloth to the flag during its raising to secure the granting of their wishes.[26]

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Notes

  1. ↑ Wa'izi, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, 1391 Sh, p. 310.
  2. ↑ Marasim-i Jahanda Bala ra dar ziyaratgah-i "Karte-yi Sakhi", Salam Watandar.
  3. ↑ Ahmadi-Nizhad Balkhi, Aramgah-ha-yi khandan-i Payambar (s) dar Afghanistan, 1399 Sh, p. 144.
  4. ↑ Ali Abadi, Jami'a wa farhang-i Afghanistan, 1395 Sh, p. 305.
  5. ↑ Diya'i, Tarikh-i hawza-ha-yi 'ilmiyya-yi Shi'a dar Afghanistan, 1398 Sh, p. 393.
  6. ↑ Wa'izi, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, 1391 Sh, p. 310.
  7. ↑ Nawruz jashni bi bulanday-i tarikh dar Afghanistan, Amu TV.
  8. ↑ Nawruz dar farhang-i dini wa 'an'anat-i milli-yi mardum-i Afghanistan, Sayyid Ja'far 'Adili Husayni.
  9. ↑ Haydari, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", 1390 Sh, p. 42.
  10. ↑ Haydari, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", 1390 Sh, p. 42.
  11. ↑ Nawruz dar farhang-i dini wa 'an'anat-i milli-yi mardum-i Afghanistan, Sayyid Ja'far 'Adili Husayni.
  12. ↑ Diya'i, Tarikh-i hawza-ha-yi 'ilmiyya-yi Shi'a dar Afghanistan, 1398 Sh, p. 393.
  13. ↑ Haydari, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", 1390 Sh, p. 42.
  14. ↑ Majlisi, Bihar al-anwar, 1403 AH, vol. 56, p. 91.
  15. ↑ This shrine belongs to a person named Sayyid Abu l-Hasan 'Ali b. Abi Talib al-Hasan, the Naqib of Balkh b. Abi 'Ali 'Ubayd Allah (Ahmadi-Nizhad Balkhi, Aramgah-ha-yi khandan-i Payambar (s) dar Afghanistan, 1399 Sh, p. 144), not Imam Ali (a); according to authentic Shi'a narrations and historical evidence, the shrine of Imam Ali (a) is in Najaf (Kulayni, Al-Kafi, 1362 Sh, vol. 1, p. 456; Ibn Qulawayh, Kamil al-ziyarat, 1417 AH, p. 82; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Irshad, 1414 AH, vol. 1, p. 25).
  16. ↑ Nawruz jashni bi bulanday-i tarikh dar Afghanistan, Amu TV.
  17. ↑ Diya'i, Tarikh-i hawza-ha-yi 'ilmiyya-yi Shi'a dar Afghanistan, 1398 Sh, p. 393.
  18. ↑ Wa'izi, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, 1391 Sh, p. 310.
  19. ↑ Wa'izi, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, 1391 Sh, p. 310.
  20. ↑ Haydari, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", 1390 Sh, p. 43.
  21. ↑ Gugadi, Tarikhcha-yi Mazar-i Shah-i Awliya, 1325 Sh, p. 62.
  22. ↑ Ayin-i sunnati-yi Jahanda Bala, YJC.
  23. ↑ Pakistan men Nawruz "Alam Afroz" aur "Iran-i Saghir" ki kahani, IRNA.
  24. ↑ Nawruz jashni bi bulanday-i tarikh dar Afghanistan, Amu TV.
  25. ↑ Wa'izi, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, 1391 Sh, p. 310.
  26. ↑ Haydari, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", 1390 Sh, p. 42.

References

  • 'Adili Husayni, Sayyid Ja'far, "Nawruz dar farhang-i dini wa 'an'anat-i milli-yi mardum-i Afghanistan", April 15, 2014.
  • Ahmadi-Nizhad Balkhi, Sayyid Hasan, Aramgah-ha-yi khandan-i Payambar (s) dar Afghanistan, Qom, Majma' al-Dakha'ir al-Islami, 1399 Sh.
  • Ali Abadi, Alireza, Jami'a wa farhang-i Afghanistan, Tehran, al-Hoda, 1395 Sh.
  • Diya'i, Muhammad Rida, Tarikh-i hawza-ha-yi 'ilmiyya-yi Shi'a dar Afghanistan, Qom, al-Mustafa International Research Institute, 1398 Sh.
  • Gugadi, Nur Muhammad, Tarikhcha-yi Mazar-i Shah-i Awliya, Mazar-i-Sharif, 1325 Sh.
  • Haydari, Qudratullah, "Jashn-i Nawruz wa mila-yi gul-i surkh", in Qalam Magazine, Isfahan, no. 16, Esfand 1390 Sh.
  • Ibn Qulawayh, Ja'far b. Muhammad, Kamil al-ziyarat, edited by Jawad Qayyumi, Qom, Nashr al-Fiqaha, 1417 AH.
  • Kulayni, Muhammad b. Ya'qub al-, Al-Kafi, Tehran, Islamiyya, 1362 Sh.
  • Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-anwar, Beirut, Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi, 1403 AH.
  • "Marasim-i Jahanda Bala ra dar ziyaratgah-i Karte-yi Sakhi", Salam Watandar, March 20, 2024.
  • "Nawruz jashni bi bulanday-i tarikh dar Afghanistan", Amu TV, March 20, 2023.
  • Sheikh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad al-, Al-Irshad, Qom, Kongari-yi Sheikh Mufid, 1414 AH.
  • Wa'izi, Hamza, Huwiyyat-ha-yi perishan, Mashhad, Nashr-i Badakhshan, 1391 Sh.
  • "Ayin-i sunnati-yi Jahanda Bala", YJC, March 19, 2024.

Template:Shi'ism in Afghanistan

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