Deep in the valleys of Iran's Kurdistan province, a stone's throw away from Iraq, the small village of Howraman Takht celebrates the ancient Zoroastrian festival of Pir Shaliar.
Every winter for more than 1,000 years Kurds from nearby villages, valleys, and both sides of the border gather for three weeks of events that serve as visible proof of Kurdish unity.
It is a unique mixture of rituals, dances, and traditional dressed based on strong Kurdish roots and filled with ancient pre-Islamic spirit. The following is a portrayal of the events of "Aroosi Pir Shahriar" which is part of the winter celebrations. Participants play a traditional drum, daf, and dance the dances of Sunni Dervishes. The rituals have transformed and gathered some Islamic elements but remain Zoroastrian at the core.
The festival of Pir Shalyar (also spelled as Shaliyar) is an old traditional ceremony in Kurdistan. It is held in the 40th day of winter. The celebration is held in three stages, each in a day of three consecutive weeks.
at the Wednesday night before sunrise, children going up to the roof of homes, sing the traditional Kurdish songs. shortly after sunrise cows and sheep are sacrificed. at the evening they play Daf and pray repeating spiritual hymns.
Pir-e Shaliar ceremony is being celebrated every year at the same time another major Persian ceremony, Jashn e Sadeh, is celebrated in Iran which started in the ancient times in the region as a symbol of worshiping Mihr (god of sun and light).
Men gathered at evening prayers which are the ending ceremonies
Historical village of Uraman in Kurdestan province is situated in a high mountainousarea like many other villages in the region.
In the third Friday of the month Rebendan (second month of winter in Kurdish calendar), golden breads made of wheat and walnut in the shape of sun (disc) are brought to the tomb of Pir, there is distributed among participants and eaten.
Sharing a sacred mea
The recipe for the festival mean hasn't changed in more than 1,000 years. Hange since over thousand years.
The recipe for the festival mean hasn't changed in more than 1,000 years. Hange since over thousand years.
Hawraman's people call this ritual "Wedding of Pir-e Shaliar." The ceremony is indicative of the active participation of people in social and cultural events, and every year it is held more gloriously than before.
Daf is one of the most ancient frame drums in Asia and North Africa. It was onceconsidered Sufi instrument played in 20th century while the Sufis prayed. However,this percussion instrument has recently become very popular and it has been
successfully integrated into the Persian music
Daf is one of the most ancient frame drums in Asia and North Africa. It was onceconsidered Sufi instrument played in 20th century while the Sufis prayed. However,this percussion instrument has recently become very popular and it has beensuccessfully integrated into the Persian music
Sufis perform a dance
Daf is one of the most ancient frame drums in Asia and North Africa. It was onceconsidered Sufi instrument played in 20th century while the Sufis prayed. However,this percussion instrument has recently become very popular and it has beensuccessfully integrated into the Persian music
the men get gather in thehouse of Pir-e Shaliar, each group sitting in a special place reserved for their tribe, and kiss the wooden worry bead and the shoes remained from Pir-e Shaliar. Now it is time for playing Daf and praying.
Sufis perform a dance
Sufis perform a dance
According to Iranian traditions, the winter is divided into two parts: the bigChelleh and the small Chelleh. The big Chelleh starts on the first day of winter andcontinue for 40 days after which the small Chelleh starts.
While people in this region embraced Islam over a thousand years ago, they still mark the date of Pir-e Shalyar's wedding, with Islamic traditions and litany and Sufi practices blended into the festival.
While people in this region embraced Islam over a thousand years ago, they still mark the date of Pir-e Shalyar's wedding, with Islamic traditions and litany and Sufi practices blended into the festival.
While people in this region embraced Islam over a thousand years ago, they still mark the date of Pir-e Shalyar's wedding, with Islamic traditions and litany and Sufi practices blended into the festival.
Inhabitants of Howraman Takht village grouped at Pir Shaliar Tomb
Daf is one of the most ancient frame drums in Asia and North Africa. It was onceconsidered Sufi instrument played in 20th century while the Sufis prayed. However,this percussion instrument has recently become very popular and it has beensuccessfully integrated into the Persian music
Sufis perform a dance
at the Wednesday night before sunrise, children going up to the roof of homes, sing the traditional Kurdish songs. shortly after sunrise cows and sheep are sacrificed. at the evening they play Daf and pray repeating spiritual hymns.