What is 4Shanbehsoori Exactly?

Last Wednesday of the Iranian year know as Chahar Shanbeh Soori (Čahār Šanbé Sūrī – usually pronounced Čāršambé-sūrī), the eve of which is marked by special customs and rituals, most notably jumping over fire.

On the eve of last Wednesday of the year, literally the eve of ‘Red Wednesday’ or the eve of celebration, bonfires are lit in public places with the help of fire and light, it is hoped for enlightenment and happiness throughout the coming year. People leap over the flames, shouting:

Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to

Give me your beautiful red colour; And take back my sickly pallor

With the help of fire and light symbols of good, Iranians wish to see their way through this last Wednesday of the year – the end of the year and to the arrival of springs longer days.

Traditionally, it is believed that the living were visited by the spirits of their ancestors on the last day of the year. Many people specially children, wrap themselves in shrouds symbolically re-enacting the visits. By the light of the bonfire, they run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons called Qashog-Zani to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for treats. Indeed, Halloween is a Celtic variation of this night.

In order to make wishes come true, it is customary to prepare special foods and distribute them on this night. Persian Noodle Soup known as Âsh, a filled Persian delight, and mixture of seven dried nuts and fruits, pistachios, roasted chic peas, almond, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and raisins.

The ancient Iranians celebrated the last six days of the year in their annual obligation feast of all souls, Hamaspathmaedaya (Farvardigan or popularly Forodigan) which after the calendar reform under Ardašīr I, the founder of the fourth Iranian dynasty, the Sasanians (224-651 CE). They believed Foruhars (fravahar), the guardian-angles for humans and also the spirits of dead would come back for reunion. These spirits were entertained as honoured guests in their old homes, and were bidden a formal ritual farewell at the dawn of the New Year. The six-day festival also coincided with festivals celebrating the creation of fire and humans.

During the Sasanian dynastic era the festival was divided into two distinct pentads, known as the lesser and the greater Pentad, or Panji as it is called today. Gradually the belief developed that the ‘Lesser Panji’ belonged to the souls of children and those who died without sin, whereas ‘Greater Panji’ was truly for all souls.

Spring housecleaning was carried out and bon fires were set up on the rooftops to welcome the return of the departed souls. Small clay figurines in shape of humans and animals symbolizing all departed relatives and animals were also placed on the rooftops. Zoroastrians today still follow this tradition. Flames were burnt all night to ensure the returning spirits were protected from the forces of Ahriman. This was called Suri festival. There were gatherings in joyful assemblies, with prayers, feasts and communal consumption of ritually blessed food. Rich and poor met together and the occasion was a time of general goodwill when quarrels were made up and friendships renewed.

Iranians today still carry out the spring-cleaning and set up bon fires for only one night on the last Tuesday of the year. Young and old will leap over the fires with songs and gestures of merriment. Today festival was not celebrated on this night and in this manner before coming of Islam to Iran. The modern Charshanbeh Suri is contrary to Zoroastrian cosmology where all days were sacred and named after a major deities. However, the choice of the last Wednesday of the year is likely to have been originated in Arabia. According to Arabian tradition Wednesdays are considered to be unlucky and represents a bad omen day with unpleasant consequences. In addition, jumping over fire is ‘insulting”, and it originated after the Islamic conquest of Iran in 7th century CE.

Some however believe, by celebrating in this manner, Iranians were able to preserve their ancient tradition. On the other hand, the use of fire in celebrations had a long history in Iran. An old custom under the Samanids of kindling a large fire on one evening before the end of the year known as šab-e sūrī (red evening/evening of celebration) without the specific rituals later associated with the festival.

The festival is celebrated on Tuesday night to make sure all bad spirits are chased away and Wednesday will pass uneventfully. In rural areas and remote villages flames are still burnt all night on the rooftops and outside the homes, though people have no idea what this is all about.

Today the occasion is accompanied by fire works from locally made firecrackers. There is no religious significance attached to it any more and is a purely secular festival for all Iranians. On the eve before the last Wednesday, bonfires are lit through out the streets and back alleys, or with the more prosperous, inside walled gardens. People leap over the flames while shouting; ‘Sorkhi-ye to az man; Zardi-ye man az to‘.

The festivities start in the early evening. Children and fun seeking adults, wrap themselves in shrouds symbolically re-enacting the visits by the departed spirits. They run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons (Qāshoq Zani or spoon banging) to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year. They will knock on doors while covered and in disguise and ask for treats. The practices are very similar to Halloween, which is a Celtic version of similar festivals celebrated throughout the area in ancient times.

It is believed that wishes will come true on this night, reminiscent of ancient traditions. Wishes are made and in order to make them come true, it is customary to prepare special foods and distribute them on this night. Noodle soup called ‘Ash e Chahar Shanbeh Suri is prepared’ and is consumed communally. Every one even strangers passing by will be served with nuts and dried fruits. This treat is called ‘Âjil-e Chahar Shanbeh Suri’ and is a mixture of seven dried nuts and fruits, pistachios, roasted chic peas, almond, hazelnuts, figs, apricots, and raisins. Local variations apply and the mixture is different according to the location and the group celebrating it.

People who have made wishes will stand at the corner of an intersection, or hide behind walls to listen to conversation by passer-bys. If there is anything positive and optimistic in the conversation, the belief is that the wish will come true or there is good fortune to be expected. This is called Fâl-Gush meaning ‘listening for one’s fortune’. The night will end with more fire works and feasts where family and friends meet and with the more modern Iranians music and dance will follow. Happy Chahar Shanbeh Suri, and may your wishes come true.

Another routine of the Chahar Shanbeh Soori festival is the Iranian version of Trick or Treating associated with the Western Halloween night. Flocks of often young trick or treaters, hidden under a traditional Chador (veil) go from door to door banging a spoon against a metal bowl asking for treats or money.

Another old and almost obsolete Chahar Shanbeh Soori ritual is Fal-gush (fortune hearing!) This ritual was carried out usually by young women wanting to know their chances of finding the “Mr. Right” in the coming year. Fāl-gush is the act of standing in a dark corner spot or behind a fence and listening to the conversations of the passers by and trying to interpret their statements or the subject of their dialogue as an answer to one’s question(s)! This is analogous to calling a psychic reader to find out your fortune!!!

In the past several decades fāl-gush has gradually become an almost unacceptable and “politically incorrect” ritual and is seldom practiced in the major urban areas.

By: Massoume Price

Revised and edited by CAIS

.:NOROUZ is HERE: Meet the HAFT SEEN:

HAPPY PERSIAN NEW YEAR!

.:meet the HAFT SEEN:.

The Haft Seen is to Norouz as the Christmas Tree is to Christmas…check out a full explanation of the Haft Seen. Whether you’re Persian and never knew all of these details or you’re interested in learning more about the Persian culture and New Year– read on & learn more!

Haft Seen (Persian: هفت سین) or the seven ‘S’s is a major tradition of Nowruz(Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in Iranian calendar), the traditional Iranian new year. Today the haft sin table includes seven specific items, all starting with the letter S or Sîn (س in the Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. Originally called Haft Chin (هفت چین), the Haft Seen has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Seen table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Nowruzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste. The Haft Seen items are:

1. sabzeh(سبزه) – wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish – symbolizing rebirth
2. samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ – symbolizing affluence
3. senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the oleaster tree – symbolizing love
4. sîr (سیر)- garlic – symbolizing medicine
5. sîb (سیب)- apples – symbolizing beauty and health
6. somaq (سماق)- sumac berries – symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
7. serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar – symbolizing age and patience

While traditionally incorrect, sometimes a missing Seen is exchanged with another item starting with an S. For example:

• sonbol (سنبل)- the fragrant hyacinth flower (the coming of spring)
• sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)

Other items on the table may include:

• traditional Iranian pastries such as baghlava (باقلوا),
• “toot” (توت)- (usually white) berries, naan-nokhodchi (نان نخودچی)
• dried nuts, berries and raisins that is called “Aajeel” (آجیل)
• lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)
• a mirror
• a sweet mint syrup called sekanjabin
• decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)
• a bowl with goldfish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)
• a bowl of water with an orange in it (the earth floating in space)
• rose water for its magical cleansing powers
• the national colours, for a patriotic touch
• A Poetry book, such as the Shahnama or the Divan of Hafez, and/or a holy book such as the Bible for Christian, the Qu’ran for Muslims or a holy book of another faith.

I love getting creative with our family’s Haft Seen & making it more personal. Here are some wonderful pictures of different Haft Seen’s from around the world.

So, Is Your “Life Persian?” MLiP.

It was a morning like any other. I sat at my desk, turned on my computer and not too long after everything had started running properly- I was checking out my Facebook newsfeed. I was overwhelmed, confused, perplexed and humored by all of the hilarious scenarios posted that ended with “MLiP”. After a little bit of investigation, it became clear to me…some brilliant Iranian out there had come up with a spin on some of there other sites out there and came up with MLiP, which appropriately stands for “My Life is Persian”.

MyLifeIsPersian.Net allows Iranians from around the globe to submit anecdotes that other Iranians can relate to or would find absolutely hillarious.

Some of my personal favorites are:

Today when ordering a soda, I asked for an eh-Sprite. I grew up in America. It was not a Persian restaurant. MLIP.

My own sister (in her late 20’s) was seeing a guy for 3 years before I even knew about him because my mom made her keep it a secret “Chon mardom harf dar meyaran!” MLIP.

Today, I was having an intense conversation with my teacher about the economy. I tried making a point and I subconsciously used the word “khob” in the beginning of my sentences, and “digeh” in between. MLIP.

My parents have all my friends phone numbers on their refrigerator… I’m 22. MLIP.

Today i came home from school and my mom said “clean your room” and I asked her “why are we having guests over?” and she said no, the cleaning lady is coming and you should make sure your room is clean before she comes. MLIP.

It only gets better from there. The best part? Submit your own and there’s a good chance they’ll post it. It’s awfully entertaining and addicting to read people someone’s anecdote & realize you’re not the only one who’s shared this experience before.

Check it out! www.MyLifeIsPersian.net & get prepared to LAUGH and reminisce of all the times your life was “too Persian”.

Comment here and share your favorite MLiP’s with us!

Unemployment Rates in Iran Increase By 16%

When you get lost in the commotion of the city, it is only the workers who can show you extreme pain and expose you to the unsavory smell of life. Believe me, this is true. Given the current Iranian economy, being a worker is very difficult. It permanently exposes you to the bitter taste of life.

Of course the road is open to everyone. Anyone who is unemployed can experience what it is like to be a worker for a while. In this city [Tehran -tr.] there are jobs that await the unemployed.

These are jobs that are not covered by labor laws, insurance and the minimum wage, i.e. issues which continue to be the subject of a battle between workers and employers. These are neither underground and illegal jobs offered unbeknownst to the government, nor part-time jobs for which wages and benefits do not fall under the government’s jurisdiction. These are jobs advertised daily in the job advertisement pages of Tehran’s morning newspapers. Job seekers search them in the hope of finding a job. Perhaps hundreds of managers and employed people glance at them without any interest.

Job seekers however, continue to dial eight-digit telephone numbers. Upon discovering that wages and benefits are not even at the minimum level, they hang up and test their fortune again by trying another job advertisement. If a long search for work, forces them to forego the minimum wage and health insurance requirements, they join all the other job seekers who have given up on the minimum wage. They obtain the employer’s address and fill out the job application without any hope.

All of this in order to work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a clothes packaging workshop in exchange for $180 to $200 per month, or in order to work at a similar workshop, where justice is slightly more observed as it concerns worker’ wages, and where they can work for ten hours a day and earn $220 per month, with the hope of getting health insurance after a year.

It is not only the packaging companies that reveal this lack of regard for the rights and benefits of workers. Sales clerks at clothing stores, cosmetic stores and medical equipment stores, and in general all sales clerks are not exceptions to the rule. The unemployed who do not have production skills and have good oral skills, are part of the above category.

An inexperienced sales clerk who works 12 hours a day, receives $120 to $140 per month. Experienced sales clerks receive $200 to $250 per month. If they are skilled and can demonstrate good sales in their monthly work record, they receive a commission as well. However, there is no health insurance.

The situation is much worse for the typists. The pay for each typed page is 12 cents. A hired typist sits and types at a computer monitor from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. At most, she or he makes $230 per month.

Unskilled workers are also not immune from this lawlessness. During the last few and first few months of each years, determining the minimum wage for workers turns into a great battle between workers and employers. Various meetings are held at the Supreme Council for Labor in order to arrive at a single figure. Workers and employers each struggle to increase or decrease the wages on the basis of their interests. Unskilled workers do not benefit from this battle. They receive the $8 per day laborer’s wage. Taking into account the four monthly days off, their wages amount to $208 per month. A worker who pastes shoe parts 12 hours a day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. receives $10 per day.

The term employee, may imply more optimism about the wages. However, the wages are no better. Computer-savvy employees who work for 12 hours a day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at an internet café, receive $200 per month. An office employee who works eight hours a day, receives $200 per month and a 15% commission.

Although, job advertisements list the wage of a secretary as $300 per month and sometimes even $300 to $500 per month, secretaries often do not receive an adequate wage. They receive $200 per month for an eight or 9 hour working day. Wages are lower for part-time work or job types such as answering the phone or typing letters etc. . .

Nowadays the $200 monthly wage, and not the minimum wage, is considered the norm by employers. This is the approximate first figure that is offered to job seekers in morning job advertisements. This figure is about $70 less than the minimum wage which the Ministry of Labor has set as the monthly wage for a worker.

However, given the rise in marketing job during the past few years, the concept of a fixed salary has become meaningless. Most employers who hire job seekers for marketing purposes, speak in terms of commissions from the beginning. Even if the employers offer a fixed salary, most of them consider it a benefit paid alongside the commission.

This is not the end of the story as far as wages offered to the unemployed are concerned. Iran’s crowded capital is not the only place where wages and benefits for workers are ignored. The situation is even worse in other cities in our country. In those cities, wages amount to $150 to $200 per month. Most employers who do not want to offer legal wages or health insurance to their employees, pay a $150 fixed monthly wage and a commission on the side.

For a long time, the subject of the minimum wage for workers has been brought up twice a year. However, sub-minimum wages which violate the labor laws continue. Given the opposition to the enforcement of the minimum wage, this subject has been forgotten for the past month.

Nevertheless, in the underground economy of this city and other cities in this country. . . the large unemployed labor force has created the condition for employers to offer wages and benefits that openly rob the workers. In light of this worrisome unemployment, there are no inspections to enforce working hours, wages and insurance benefits. The unemployed are the victims. They work 12 hours a day, that is 4 hours above the legal working day, in order to receive wages below the minimum wage. . .

This was written by an Iranian inside Iran who has observed the situation in Iran first hand.

Help Provide Basic Necessities for Iranian Refugees Who Have Been Forced To Leave Iran Due To Persecution or Political Reasons.

touchIRAN and Iran Alive Ministries Have Partnered Together To Identify The Needs of Refugees Who Are Struggling To Survive and are in Desperate Need Of Basic Necessities.

Your Generous Donation Will Provide Food, Clothing, Shelter & Electricity To Iranians Who Are Struggling To Make Ends Meet.

CHRISTMAS in TEHRAN

While Christmas is freely celebrated all over the globe, Iran- with all of it’s restrictions on religious freedom- doesn’t look much different than many of the decorated streets in metropolitan cities in other countries, but there’s a little catch. Amongst Iran’s large population, there is a small percentage of Armenians and Assyrians who are free to celebrate their Orthodox and Christian faith. Although the number of Christian and Protestants has been growing in Iran, these converts are not able to celebrate Christmas freely in the Islamic Republic. These festive photos give us a glimpse into what Tehran looks like during the Christmas season. Read more about Christmas in Iran here and here!

Shahram and Hafez Nazeri Sing For Peace

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — It’s a seemingly simple approach to one of the modern world’s most complicated political problems: By marrying the dainty lutes of the East with thrumming violas of the West, composer Hafez Nazeri says he wants to create harmony between the U.S. and his native Iran.

Nazeri’s troupe of musicians from East and West, The Rumi Symphony Project, premiered his new symphony in Los Angeles last month and will perform it Saturday at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“We’re hearing all about nuclear weapons and all these crazy things,” said Nazeri. “Look at us, people who come together from different cultures, different musical backgrounds and we all create love together, for you, for the world.”

Nazeri’s father, Shahram Nazeri, a famed classical singer known as Iran’s Pavarotti, is scheduled to perform “Cycle One: Rites of Fall” alongside his son and classical musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

In the piece, violin strains are punctuated with the rumble of the daf, a hand drum ringed with metal pieces that tremble when it is struck. At times, the string instruments of East and West are plucked in sync in a style that could be considered controversial.

Cultural authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have worked to prevent foreign influence for decades, in backlash to the previous regime of the Shah, often criticized for being pro-Western.

Though easily purchased on the black market, Western-style pop music is banned under Islamic rule, frowned on by austere mullahs for its sensual female solo singers and frivolity.

But blending cultures in music is now natural to Hafez Nazeri, 30, who moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and where he’s studied Western music, collaborated with American artists and fallen in love with New York City.

Even the instrument Hafez Nazeri performs on is a traditional Persian instrument he’s improvised by adding two strings to increase the Persian setar’s range.

Hafez and his father are among the few artists allowed to travel freely and perform and record music inside Iran. His political views are strictly pragmatic and pacifistic — what concerns him isn’t so much who governs Iran, but that all Iranians can live safely in their country.

Shahram Nazeri’s music has escaped harsh censorship, in part because he sings the poetry of Iran’s great poets to traditional music. His album “Gol-e-Sad Barg” sold 40 million copies and even in the most far-flung villages of Iran, small children can sing his renditions of Rumi’s poetry.

At the premiere performance of the new fusion symphony in Los Angeles, the performance earned standing ovations from an audience of mostly Iranian expatriates.

One audience member, an elderly gentleman who stormed out during the third act, groused loudly during an intermission that the music “may be opera, or it may be disco, but it is not Iranian!”

But it brought others to tears. Thundering applause continued at the end of the performance until Shahram Nazeri came out to sing a few of his best-known tunes for encores.

The father briefly obliged those who repeatedly called out for him to sing “Iran-e-Kohan” or “Original Iran,” a song that regained popularity as a soundtrack for YouTube videos of violent street demonstrations following Iran’s June 12 elections.

The song first became popular during Iran’s eight year war with Iraq in the 1980s, with lyrics that sing “The world watches for the freedom of Iranians/Be aware, the original Iranians are in danger.”

The audience grew still after Shahram Nazeri sang the first few lines of the mournful song. Appearing to sense the darkening of the auditorium’s mood, he quickly broke from the tune, and finished on two upbeat favorites as the audience sang along and then roared with approval.

On the Net:

Hafez Nazeri’s MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/hafeznazeri

Carnegie Hall: http://www.carnegiehall.org

Article by: By SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER (AP)

Read original article here

tasteIRAN: discover the art of Iranian Cuisine!

Us Iranians take pride in a lot of different elements of Iranian culture— in a recent poll on touchIRAN, we asked you why you are proud to be Iranian…amongst all of the choices, Iranian Food was a popular choice. We can’t help but take pride in the art of Iranian Cuisine.  It’s no wonder you can walk into a crowded Iranian restaurant  during lunch these days and hardly recognize any Iranians there- people of all different cultures are taking interest in the mouthwatering dishes of Iran.

We’ve posted 3 parts of a thorough and interesting look into the art of Iranian Cuisine- from sampling dishes to a tour through an Iranian Bazaar, you’ll love watching this documentary and either be inspired to go home and cook or have an insatiable craving for Iranian food.

Watch and enjoy!

Iran in Photos: Land of Beauty

These photos were submitted and put into a collection to capture the beauty of Iran. Often, especially to those who have never been to Iran and only hear of it through the media, the beauty and splendor of Iran goes unappreciated.

Whether you grew up in Iran and haven’t been back in years, are Iranian and have never been or are interested in Iran and have always only seen a narrow view of the country- I hope these photos stir your heart and let you fall deeper in love with IRAN.

The Truth About Iranian Women

Every so often, I do a little bit of googling on one of my favorite topics- Iranian Women. Maybe I’m partial towards the subject because I, myself, am an Iranian woman.

Is that why I come back to this same search time and time again?

Well, I guess it kind of has something to do with that…it fascinates me that even though I share the same heritage and nationality with the women of Iran, we’re worlds apart– in fact, it’d be unfair to even say I understand what their lives are like.

I, along with many of my friends & countless of other Iranians who live outside of Iran [some haven't ever even set foot in Iran before], live freely and in democratic countries…free from dictatorship. Some of us can’t even begin to relate or imagine what it would be like to live under a dictator and strict regime that would prohibit us from something commonplace like wearing whatever we pleased on a sunny day or going to a pool party with our friends.

Sometimes, however, I understand things a little better when I see youth who have recently moved from Iran– those recently immigrated girls and guys push their freedom a little further than those of us who’ve grown up outside of Iran. Their desire to explore their new found freedom often leads them to making decisions they probably should have avoided, but like a kid who has been deprived of candy on Halloween year after year– the girl who’s been forced to wear a chador in 90 degree weather would rather choose to wear something a little less than modest to the park on a spring day during her first 13bedar in America, the “land of the free”.

All of this leads me to wonder what Iran is really like for women…outside of the public eye. Does the regime lead them to positive or negative behavior? Are they motivated to stand out by rebelling and, in turn, making poor decisions or do they push themselves towards success that lead to groundbreaking acheivements like Zahra Rahnavard?

I stumbled upon this video that was produced in 2007 and aired on NBC about Women in Iran. It made me proud to be an Iranian Women and again, sparked my interest in this google search again.

Are things any different now? How does all of this make you feel as an Iranian or as an Iranian woman?

…because nobody’s cooking is better than your mom’s cooking!

We’ve all experienced it. We go to a Persian Restaurant or to a Mehmooni (Farsi for ‘House Party or Gathering’), get really excited to partake in an amazing Persian meal & even though we’re incredibly stuffed and satisfied– nothing can compare to your mom, dad, aunt or grandma’s home-cooking!

The creative & talented Cyrus Dowlatshahi, of Fatty Productions, has shared his love for food and film-making and the delight that is Persian culture with the world wide web. Cyrus has created a series of short-films on how-to make delicious Persian recipes. He has also created a humorous and informative documentary called the Kabob Guy. Cyrus, we hope you make tons more of these videos!

Watch Cyrus’ videos and leave this post craving jujeh kabob, maast o khiar and your mama’s best recipes…

Jujeh Kabob from Cyrus Dowlatshahi on Vimeo.

Mast-o Khiar from Cyrus Dowlatshahi on Vimeo.

Kabob Guy from Cyrus Dowlatshahi on Vimeo.

touchIRAN wants you to share your favorite Persian recipes, restaurants in your city and spark a discussion about all things related to the delciousness that is Persian food! comment or submit your recipes and reviews to yourvoice@touchiran.com!

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