Iranian Festival Heralds the Change in Seasons

[democratic]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38244-2005Mar15.html

Across the United States last night, Iranians emerged from their homes to celebrate Chahar Shanbeh Souri, an ancient Zoroastrian holiday that has been part of their culture for centuries. In Iran, city streets blaze for one night during the last week of winter as Iranians of all religious persuasions jump over fires.

Iranians in the United States see the holiday, which is also celebrated by Afghans, Tajiks, Indian Parsees and others, as a nostalgic link to their homeland. In Iran, many see it as a snub to their government; consequently, its popularity has soared in recent years.

Before the 1979 Islamic revolution, "it was just a little Halloween-like event," said Ahmed Karimi-Hakkak, director of the newly established Center for Persian Studies at the University of Maryland at College Park. Children would bang pots and collect candy in front of houses, and the fires were small.

But after the Islamic government tried to ban Chahar Shanbeh Souri because it was a non-Islamic holiday, it took on greater significance. "It all of a sudden became . . . a rallying cry for Iranian identity," Karimi-Hakkak said, noting that the ritual now involves huge crowds and massive bonfires that are impossible to leap.

[blogbear]

1. Interesting Story And Insight Into..

Culture and customs. I hope to read more articles as this which offer insight into cultural practices and diversity which help us to understand other peoples better.

[LeighAnn]

2. I wonder how that bit of Zoroastrianism never made it into Christianity

EOM

[kineneb]

3. When I lived in Tehran

we jumped over the fires, sort of burning tumbleweed plants, as I remember. My folks have the Haft Seen(7 S's) table ready for Nou Rooz (new year) which occures at the moment of the Vernal Equinox. I intend to celebrate, too.

So to all the DUers: Happy Nou Rooz!