Samanak: A Traditional Spring Ritual

Samanak is a traditional sweet made from sprouted wheat for Nowruz, the spring new year. Its natural sweetness comes only from wheat, water and many hours of slow cooking.

In this Samanak documentary we filmed a gathering of women in colourful traditional dress, singing as they take turns stirring a huge pot through the night.

The songs, the clothes and the rhythm of the stirring are part of an oral tradition that brings communities together. The film belongs to our series of heritage documentaries.