My first good encounter with the Azerbaijan hospitality was the celebration of the Novruz Bayrami holiday. I had read about the Novruz celebration which was a celebration of spring, the presumed New Year for the Ancient Azerbaijanis and this celebration has been preserved and passed on from generations. Another country apart from Azerbaijan where the Novruz Bayrami is also celebrated is the Republic of Iran which of course has a vast population of Azerbaijanis (about 22 mln) living in the northern part of the country. Also, people in Turkey celebrate the Novruz Bayrami and a minute population of the Iraqis. Further this holiday is celebrated in Central Asia’s and Russia’s Turkish speaking republics.

In celebrating the Novruz Bayrami, one of the very conspicuous activities is the burning of fire and jumping over fire as a sign for purification. To some historians, this event was a characteristic of the Zoroastrism, the worship of fire, a practice that was common among the ancient Albanians (aborigenal Azerbaijanis). Based on the understanding of Zoroastrism, the Novruz Bayrami can be classified as a pagan holiday.

As a sojourner in Azerbaijan, I had never wished I could have an opportunity to feel at home in a strange land. As a Nigerian, I have grown up celebrating religious events like the Christmas and Easter with sufficient knowledge of the Islamic holidays. During these times what characterize these celebrations are merriment, serving and sharing of delicacies irrespective of religion perspectives. Although in various other parts of Nigeria we have other celebrations associated with paganism but with the continuous influence of religion these practices are gradually loosing significance.

Nonetheless, Novruz Bayrami remains unique to me mainly because of great deal of hospitality that comes with it. I was elated by the treatment I got from friends and neighbors. Neighbors offered me the National bakeries called Pakhlava (Paxlava) and Shakarbura (Şəkərbura). Some gave me nuts of all species, I even had Plov (Azeri national meal cooked with Rice) brought to me from people I have never expected such gestures.

It didn’t stop there; I was hosted to a Nobruz Bayrami party wherein I and other foreigners were fed with various Azeri delicacies like the dolma, dovgha, not to forget the Kababs.

A typical Azeri is always willing to welcome foreigners into his home unlike other natives of other countries I have visited and have knowledge of. For instance, in the West, visitors are entertained quite rightly, but the service remains a very light one similar to what friends can easily get from any restaurant on the street. On the contrary, this is not the case with the Azerbaijanis; such visit is always accompanied with the service of different meals with the drinks running non-stop. I have been to homes of some friends on just casual calls in Baku, but I was perplexed to see that what was to be a casual visit has turned out to be a mini buffet party with no real agenda on celebration.

Just to go back into history; the Azerbaijanis have always practiced hospitality in this magnitude. It was the Azerbaijan hospitality that had made them dwell in good harmony with its neighbors. Azerbaijan still holds it’s hospitably character as a vital part of its existence. This character has significantly rub into the practice of its religion because as at present Azerbaijan to me remains the most tolerant environment where different faiths can co-habit without fear of extreme persecution, violation of right to practice ones own belief freely. Hospitality goes hand in hand with tolerance and that the Azerbaijanis have got in immeasurable size.

The Azerbaijan government has made tourism one of its points in development. As a foreigner, for me the choice of developing tourism is a worthy venture. The world over, no national tourism develops without the impact of the citizens. The hospitably character of the Azerbaijan people has ruled out any fear of hostility form locals irrespective of any part of the nation a tourist has decided to visit. The hospitality of the Azerbaijan nation no wonder, has caused a great influx of foreigners into this relatively small nation.

With the rate of development in the country, the migration of foreigners into Azerbaijan will continue to increase. On the positive side, for every nation that has experienced a large inflow of foreigners like Azerbaijan is experiencing, that nation also experiences a corresponding growth in all aspects of its economy. Therefore, with blend of the Azeri hospitality, the future indeed is very promising for the Azerbaijan Republic.

Nick Nwolisa is a Nigerian student living in Baku. He collaborates with the International Eurasia Press Fund and is responsible person for Refugee/IDP issues. Nick can be reached at e-mail address nicknwolisa@iepf-ngo.org.