Persian events, customs, traditions,festivals and celebrations .( nowrouz , march 21-25)

Nowrouz:

    Iran’s official new year beginswith nowrouz. Thatis an ancient Iranian traditions celebrated anually . it was registered on the UNESCO`S list .Nowrouz( `now` means new and  ’rouz` means day) .

Nowrouz is an Iranian traditional festival of spring which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox. On  the meridian the 20^th or 21th Of march days and hightsare  equal. This is the same day has long been called nowrouz. Its name comes from Avesta meaning (“new day/day light”) And that’s about saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring .

Haft Seen:

could be an ancient custom in the new year vacation really it’s a table setting(sofreh) or haft miveh . the seven fruits arrangement of seven symbolic Item traditionally displayed at nowrouz and these seven items all starting with the letter seen ( Persian letter س ) in the Persian alphabet . that Included :Serkeh – Sabzeh – Samanu – Sib( red apple ) – Somagh – Spand – Sir ( garnic in en )  and also fish in the bottle of water ( red fish ) , a nice Quran,mirror,beautiful flowers like sonbol ,bidmeshk, laleh,….. and painted eggs .

Sabzeh: سبزه Wheat , barley , mung bean , or lentil sprouts grown in a dish ( represents nature ).

Samanu: سمنو Sweet pudding made from wheat germ ( represents power and bravery ).

Senjed: سنجد Dried Persian olive ( represents wisdom ).

Serkeh: سرکه Vinegar ( represents contentment ).

Sib: سیب Apple ( represents beauty ).

Sir: سیر Garlic ( represents good health ).

Somaq: سماق  Sumac ( represents patience ).

HAJI FIROUZ :

Is a fictional character in Iranian folklore who appears in the streets by he beginning of nowouz . his face is covered in soot and he is clad in bright red and clothes and a felt hat. He dances through the streets while singing and playing a tambourine.

SIZDEH BEDAR : ( Nature day , 2^nd April )

In iran “sizdehbedar” is a traditional Persian festival observed by the millions of Iranians whom spend outdoors on the final day of Celebrations for the new year holidays . it occurs on the thirteenth day of Farvardin month , and this term ( sizdehbedar ) literally means out with the thirteenth. To Iranians the number “13” symbolizesevil and bad luck . so the annual “ sizdahbedar” picnic is based on an ancient Iranian tradition that encourages people to avoid any ill omens at home by going outdoors on the 13^th day of the new year .in tradition, the first 12 days of the new year symbolize order in the world and people’s lives.

   So they think the 13^th day makes the return to ordinary daily life . Also, in of the traditions , the young ladies tie together blades of grass in hope of finding their ideal husbands. Thisis the gesture represents the bond between a man and woman.

FESTIVALOFFIRE ORCHAHAR_SHANBEHSOORI( Wednesday festival ): 

Chahar-shanbehsouri literallymeans red Wednesday is an ancient festival during back to 4000 years ago since the early . on the eve of the last Wednesday of the precedingyear to nowrouz. It falls on the last tuseday evening of every Persian calender year. The ancient festival of chahar-shanbesouri celebrates atash( fire ) by perfomingrituales such as jumping over bonfires and lightings off firecrackers and fireworks. Whilst saying “ give me your red colour and take back your yellow colour.” As this is belived to be a purification ritual .dating back to the Zoroastrian religion.

YALDA NIGHT( shab-e-chelleh, 21 Decomber ,the first night of winter in iran ) :

Shab-e-chelleh is an ancient Iranian festival celebrated on the “ longest and darkest night of the year “ ,yalda night is a winter solstice and zoroastain-celebration of winter ( December 20 or 21 ) during which families gather together to recite poetry and eat fruits particulary the red fruits such as watermelon and pomegrants, as well as mixed nuts.

MEHREGAN – FALL FESTIVAL  ( 2^nd October ):

Mehregan is a Zoroastrian and Persian festival celebrated to honor the Yazata Mithra , which is responsible for  friendship , affection and Love. Alsp widely referred to as the Persian festival ofautumn. The festival falls on these 196^th day of the Iranian year ( 10^thmehr, ) on  These days farmers carried out their harvest and prayed to God for it . it is Thanksgiving day for the Iranian farmers in other days mehregan. This feast would be celebrated for 6 days starting on the 16^th of month Mehr. The oldest historical record about Mehregan goes back to the Achaemenian times.

SADEH-MIDWINTER FESTIVAL :

Sadeh meaning hundred, is a mid winter feast that was celebrated with grandeur and magnificence in ancient Iran. It was a festivity to honor fire , and being held usually on the 30^th of January as a midwinter festival in Iran . that takes place 20 days before nowrouz . the most celebrate reports of the celebrations comes from the 10^thcentury during the regin of MardavijZeyari , the ruler of Isfahan.

TIRGAN- THE RAIN FESTIVAL :

The festival of Tirgan is observed on July , and it is primarily a rain festival and is a mid summer Iranian festival celebrated annually on tir Tirgan is celebrated by splashing water , dancing , reciting poetry , and serving traditional foods such as spinach soup and sholezard.

 SAFFRONHARVEST :

The south Khorasan province is most known for its saffron fields also Natanz town is another one. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice.specially Iranian people use saffron in Persian cooking . in Iran , after picking the flower  gently plucking the red stigmas and dry them. So picking up and drying these expensive and deliciously spice is a big deal. Saffron is a fragrant and useful spice.This festival is celebratd by zoroastrains in Mazandaran ,Yazd,horasan and Farahan.

RELIGIOUSEVENTS:

There are many cultural and religious festivals celebrated in Iran through out the year and it’s a great time to visit Iran to experience an insight to the local’s daily lives. The ancient Iranian celebrations. Islamic annual events such as : Ramazan , Eid-al Fetr, and Ashours day are marked by the country’s large Muslim population , Christian traditions such as Noel , and Eid-e-pak are observed by the christian communities. Jewish traditions such as purim, Hanuka , and Eid-al fatr are observed by the Jewish communities. And Zoroastrian traditions such as Sade and Mehrgan are held by the zoroastrains.

MUHARAMMONTH& ASHOURADAY( September ):

These are religiousceremonies for Iranians and people usually dress in black and rally in street.day of Ashura taking place in February every year. It celebrates the martyrdom of IMAM HUSSEIN, grandson of Mohammad Prophet. this is a time for Shia Muslims to show their devotion. IMAM HUSSEIN was martyred on the plains of Karbala along with his family and companions. People have gathering to pay their respects and remember Ashura. Tragic event specially there are huge gathering in Mashhad Reza shrine.

TASOUA:

The 9^th and 10^th of Muharam when mourners are fed. Tasoua is the eve of martyrdom of the third Shia Imam Hossein . most of Iranians are Shia and the religious is Islam because Iran is an old historical country .These days in MuharamTasoua and Ashura are unique time for visiting Iran for turists.

TAZIYA:

Taziya is a Theatrical re-enactment of the battle of Karbala. Iranianpeople who play in Taziya sing their dialouges based on their characters and use tools and sometimes walk in street with people also play a unique music while playing that special Taziya and perform this rite in a glorious way. Most of the people are sad and cry for the testimony of Imam Hosseins and his companions.

EID AL- ADHA:

Or EID Ghorbanhonours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to GOD’S command also called the “ sacrifice feast.

EID AL-GHADIR KHUMM:

This Eid isheld on 18 Dhi-hajah. It is a happy holidays of Shia Muslems and Iranian when the Islamic Prophet Mohammad was said to have appointed ALI-ibn-Abitaleb as his successor of completion of the message of Islam. That event took place in the prophet’s HAJJAT-al-Wida in February632 A.D in a place called GHADIR-KHUMM. Observances of people are prayers, gift-giving,festive meals , as well as reeiting the DU’A NUDBE.

BIRTHOF ALI-IBN-ABI-TALIB :

Many Shia Muslims celebrate 13^th day of Rajab Imam Ali’s birth anniversary as father’s day . Imam Ali was a cousin of the prophet Muhammad. Imam Ali born on 29 January 594 A.D.

BIRTHOF FATIMAH BINTMUHAMMAD :

She was born in Mecca( in 603 A.D-630 A.D ).her name in Arabic is UMM KULTHUM. She is the third daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad by his first wif Khadijah. Among Iranian’s , her birth anniversary is labeled as mothers day to steem the place & dignity of women.

MID-SHA’BAN:

 Shaban 15^th is the birthday of the twelfth Imam Mahdi. It is on the night between 14 and 15 Sha’ban. This is a night when prayers are arranged for forgiveness from Allah for one’s deceased ancestors.

LAYLAT – ALQADR:

The night of power is traditionally celebrated on 19^th_ 21th or 23th day of RAMADAN and that is the Holliest night of the year for Muslims. Based on the Islamic on one of these mentioned nigts GOD revealdthe Quran to the prophet Mohammad (PBUH) beginning with the exhortation Read.

 BITHA:

Means selection of prophet by GOD for the guidance of people. The Bi’tha was the beginning of Islam and it happened on 610 A.D. the prophet  Muhammad ( PBUH) in the age of fourty in a cave called  “HIRA” close to Mecca has been selected.

DEATHOFPROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH):

 Prophet Muhammad died on 8^th June 632 at the age 62.. he was an Arab religious . social and political leader and founder of Islam . he was buried at Masjid-an-Nabawi, the Mosque of the prophet that is one of the first mosques built by propher Muhammad in Medina.

BIRTH OF IMAM REZA:

Ali-ibn-Musa-Al-Ridha was born in Medina , Saudi Arabia, on 1^st January 766 AD. His Tomb is at Mashad. It is the largest shi’ite holy site. Imam Reza is dead by poison. According to most Shia Muslims religion, poisoning by Al-Ma’mun , and was buried be side the grave of Harun. After this event it was called as Mashhad-al-Ridha which can be considered as one of the most remarkable religious events in Iran.

ROSE WATER FESTIVAL :

Golabgiri is a festival which take place every spring in Kashan during the second half of may ( exactly early May to Mid-June) the season For picking rose and preparing rose water. Many people from different parts of the country and abroad visit Kashan the hub of Muhammadi rose in Iran.

 IRANIANCUSTOMES:

One of he most important thing in communicating Iranian people with Tarrof. Tarrof is a way of acting in which people say nice things and compliments excessively and don’t accept what ever which you offer them at first. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a cup oftea or precious gift. If you want them to accept it, you have to insist.so, it is a way of gretting for the respected guests. And the other is respect to old people . you can show them your respect by greeting them first so there are many other Iranian communication rules such as , no hand shakes or touches with people who have opposite gender. Kiss on cheeks as a greeting with people who have the same gender,chatting about generalthings while greeting . Iran is a cultural varied country with so many subcultures in it . that is for the historical reasons and Iran’s geographical position. Knowing the general Iranian culture and customs can help the tourist a lot in communication and setting  their timetable for visiting Iran.

IRAN’STRADITIONAL DRESS:

 Iran has a varied population that includes multi_ethnic&multi cultural groups with different language,dilacts,tradition,clothes,foods,etc It is easy to identify which region or tribe the person belongs to base on the colorful embroidered patterns,decorative jewelry, and style of hijab also there are different clothes for men and women. Here, have a review  on Iranian clothes in order to immerse in the amazing beauty of dressing in iran. Bakhtiyari – Qashqai – Baluchi – Turkmen – Kurds – Lur – Gilaki – Mazandarani – Abyaneh – Bandar Abbas and Qeshm.

POLITICAL EVENTS:

Iran has a special political , social and cultural history. Many political events in Iran are related to postrevpulution era. The most

 Remarkable of Iran political events are Iranian Islamic republic day , 22 Bahman,Fajr decade, passing of Ayatollah Komeini (14^th Khordad) , The 15^th of Khordad Uprising.

 DAHE-YE-FAJR:

 That is a ten day celebration of Ruhollah Khomeini’s return from Paris to Tehran . in 1979, it is an annual celebrations take place from February 1 to 11. Iranians across the country celebrate ten days in celebration of the Fajr decade. The day called Islamic revolution’s Victory day or 22 of Bahman.

BAHMAN,ISLAMIC REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY:

 The day 14^th month in the Iranian calender equivalent to 11 February in the Gregorian calender. Because that commorated the protests Led to the downfall of the Pahlavi and the installation of the Islamic republic revolution . its leader was Ayatollah Khomeini. So , this political celebration held on the last day of the celebration called the ten days of Fajr , this event is called anniversary of Islamic revolution, too.

 IRANIAN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC :

In January 1978, the first major demonstrations to over throw Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi began. Officially , Iran became the Islamic Republic. Exactly on the 1^st April 1979. So, Iranians perform nation wide celebration on this day.

PASSING OF AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI  14^TH KHORDAD:

Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini passed a way on the 3^rd of June 1989, at 22:20 IRST, after spending 11 days at private hospital, near His residency after repeated heart failure ( aged 86).

 The founder of the Islamic republic was buried near the Behesht-e-Zahra,the main graved of Tehran.So,this day is mourned by all Iranians Across the country.

THE 15^TH OF KHORDAD UPRISING:

On the 5^th of June 1963, the demonstrations were protests in Iran against the arrest of Ayatollah-Ruhollah-Khomeini, it was the beginning of  Islamic revolution which was to change Iran’s destiny.