Customs, festivals, and traditions
Customs, festivals, and traditions
Understanding Persian Customs
- Become familiar with the various Persian customs and their significance in Iranian culture.
- Understand the typically Iranian etiquette for greeting and saying goodbye, which often includes kissing each cheek.
- Learn about the customs related to gift-giving in Persian culture, such as the preference for handmade or meaningful gifts.
- Recognise how respect is shown in Persian culture, especially towards elders, for example always standing when an elder enters the room.
- Gain insight into dining etiquette in Iran, such as being invited to eat several times before accepting, or the custom of ‘taarof’, a form of polite refusal.
Persian Festivals and Celebrations
- Discover the important national and religious festivals celebrated by Persians, like Nowruz (Persian New Year), Yalda Night (longest night of the year), and Ashura.
- Learn about the historical and cultural significance associated with each major festival, how they are celebrated, and the customs involved.
- Understand the use of the Persian calendar and how it influences the timing of celebrations.
- Explore the traditional and festive dishes associated with each celebration, like ajil for Yalda Night or sabzi polo mahi for Nowruz.
Traditional Persian Clothing
- Get acquainted with the different types of traditional Persian clothing, such as the chador for women, or the suit and tie for men.
- Learn about the importance and significance of the hijab in Persian culture, its styles and rules it comes with.
- Recognise the symbolic elements in traditional dress, like colours or patterns, and their significance in Persian culture.
- Understand the limitations and rules imposed by the government regarding dress code and public decency.
Persian Weddings and Ceremonies
- Gain knowledge about traditional wedding customs in Iran, like ‘Sofreh Aghd’, a wedding spread with symbolic items.
- Learn about the multi-stage process involved in Persian weddings, like ‘Khastegari’ (proposal), ‘Baleh Boroon’ (acceptance), and ‘Aroosi’ (wedding).
- Understand the customs associated with Persian funerals, the stages of mourning, and the ceremonies conducted.
- Be aware of the significance of such ceremonies and their importance in Persian life and society.
Mastering these points will allow for a more nuanced understanding and appreciation of Persian Identity and Culture.