Persian Literature in Literature 2 (Literature of the World)

7/29/2019 Persian Literature in Literature 2 (Literature of the World)

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PersianReported by:Junace RealRosalie CompetenteGaylord Bernne

Ayawan


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y

Persia Iran, known since ancient times as Persia, has

had a long and turbulent history. Its location atthe crossroads of Europe and Asia has resultedin many invasions and migrations. There isevidence that Iran played a role in the

emergence of civilization as far back as 10,000years ago.


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Location & Geography

Iran is located in Southwestern Asia, largely on ahigh plateau situated between the Caspian Sea tothe north and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of

Oman to the south. It is considered to be the18th largest country in the whole world. Its areais 636,300 square miles.

Its neighbours are, on the north, Azerbaijan,Armenia, and Turkmenistan; on the east,Pakistan and Afghanistan; and on the westTurkey and Iraq.

Iran's total boundary is 4,770 miles.


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The flag of Iran was officially adopted on July 29, 1980. Thecolors of the flag date to the mid-18th century; greenrepresents Islam; white represents peace, and red means

courage.The centered symbol is said to symbolize the fiveprinciples of Islam. According to sources, the white stylizedscript on the red and green panels, repeated 22 times, is theIslamic phrase Allahu Akbar, meaning"God is greater thanto be described."The centered sword is representative of thecountry's strengtha


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Meaning: Three equal horizontal bands of green, white,

and red

The national emblem (a stylized representationof the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, asymbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the

white band ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic

script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge

of the green band and 11 times along the toped e of the red band


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Currency The Persian unit of currency is RIAL () (IRR).


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Climate & Seasons Iran's climate is one of extremes, ranging from

subtropical to sub polar, due to the extremevariations in altitude and rainfall throughout thenation.

The climate ranges from humid subtropical

lowlands along the southern coast of the CaspianSea to hot, dry deserts.


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People The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoplewho speak the modern Persian Language andclosely akin Iranian dialects and languages.

The origins of the ethnic Iranian/Persianpeoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian people,

who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians andthemselves part of the greater Indo-Europeanethnic group.


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Population Iran has a total population of about 75 million

people. Only Persians, the largest ethnic group,live in the developed farm areas and in the largecities of the northern and western plateau.

The population is balanced (51% male, 49%

female), extremely young, and urban. More thanthree-quarters of Iran's habitants are underthirty years of age, and an equal percentage livein urban areas.

Iran is a multiethnic multicultural societ as a


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Clothing

Western clothing for both men and women was

popular until the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Since then, women have been forced to covertheir hair and wear the Iranian chador, a long

cloak, when in public. Iranian women wearvery colorful chadors in some of the rural

provinces.

Most men wear slacks, shirts, and jackets. Somemen, especially religious leaders, wear floor-length, jacket like garments, and cover theirheads with turbans. Mountain-dwellers continue

to wear their traditional clothing. For ethnic-


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PERSIAN

DANCE COSTUMEPERSIAN COSTUME ANCIENT

PERSIAN COSTUME


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The men also wear the

Pirahan, Shalvar, and Jameh

combination, often with a

wide belt called Kamarband,

from which English gets the

word "cummerbund

Headdresses are also worn by men in

traditional wear, known as the Sarband. The

Persian style of Sarband is often wrapped

with one end folded in a fan-shape at the top

of the head, with a trailing piece of clothing

which is thrown over the shoulder.


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More costumes


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More


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Symbolism

Iranian culture is rich in cultural symbolism,much of which derives from prehistoric times.


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National Symbols

Animals

LIO

N

PERSIAN LEOPARD

PERSIAN DEER

PERSIAN

CHEETAH


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FLOWERS

TULI

P

FRUIT

POMEGRANATE


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BIRD FOOD

NIGHTINGALE CHELOKABAB


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The overwhelming majority of Iranians (about98%) are Shi'ah Muslim. Shi'ah, one of the twoschools of Islam, is the state religion.

The state religion in Iran is also Ithnaashara orTwelver Shi'ism, established by the Safavid

Dynasty in the 17th century. This branch ofIslam has many distinctive practices and beliefsthat differ from the Sunni Islam practiced inmost of the Muslim world.


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There are also smaller communities ofZoroastrians, Christians, Jews, and Baha'is.

Baha'is are the largest non-Muslim religiousminority in Iran. There exist Persians who are

atheist and agnostic.


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Zoroastrianism - ancient Persian religion: an

ancient religion founded by the Persian prophetZoroaster, the principal belief of which is in asupreme deity and a cosmic contest between twospirits, one good and one evil.

Manichaeism - ancient dualist belief system: areligious doctrine based on the separation ofmatter and spirit and of good and evil that

originated in 3rd-century Persia and combinedelements of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism,Christianity, and Gnosticism.


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Government Iran has made the transition in the last 25 years

from a nominal constitutional monarchy to a

democratic theocracy and now they are aUnitary state, Islamic republic.


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Government Unitary state, Islamic Republic

- Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad- First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi- Speaker of the Parliament Ali Larijani- Chief Justice Sadeq Larijani- Legislature Islamic Consultative Assembly


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Top Ten Cities in Iran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad


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Mohammad Reza Pahlaviand Farah Pahlavi, the lastShah and Empress of Iran

Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran

AliKhamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khameneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khameneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmoud_Ahmadinejadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khameneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khameneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahbanuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farah_Pahlavihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi


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Social Stratification In Iran one can never judge a book by its cover.A traditional gentleman in ragged clothes,

unshaven, and without any outward trapping ofluxury may in fact be very rich, and as powerfulas the mightiest government official; or he maybe a revered spiritual leader.

On the other hand a well-dressed gentleman inan Italian suit driving a fine European car maybe mired in debt and openly derided behind his

back.


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The Relative Status of Women Women have always had a strong role in Iranian

life, but rarely a public role. Their prominent

participation in political movements has beenespecially noteworthy. Brave and oftenruthlessly pragmatic, women are more thanwilling to take to the streets for a good publiccause.


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Folklore Many Muslims believe injinns, spirits who can

change shape and be either visible or invisible.

Muslims sometimes wear amulets (charms)around their necks to protect themselves fromjinns. Stories of jinns are often told at night, likeghost stories around a campfire.


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Amulets


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RITES OF PASSAGE Marriage is the most important stage in a

person's life, marking the official transition to

adulthood. There are two ceremonies in themarital tradition: the arusi (the engagementceremony) and the agad (the actual weddingceremony).

Birthdays are particularly joyous occasions.Children have parties at which they eat and playtraditional games. Elaborate gifts are usually

given.


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RELATIONSHIPS Most people in Iran employ an elaborate system

of courtesy, known in Farsi as taarof. Polite and

complimentary phrases are used to create anatmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

Iranians, like many people of the Middle East,

are very hospitable. Iranians are very demonstrative with their facial

and hand gestures.

An Iranian is expected to rise to her or his feet


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LIVING CONDITIONS

Wooden houses are common along the Caspiancoast.

Square houses made of mud brick are found on

the slopes in the mountain villages.

Nomadic tribes in the Zagros Mountains live inround, black tents made of goat hair.

The people of Baluchistan, in the southeast, arefarmers who live in huts.

Larger cities have many high-rise apartments.

Some have modern su ermarket com lexes that


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FAMILY LIFE

The average size of the nuclear family has beendecreasing. Currently the average size is aboutsix children per family.

The father is the head of the Iranian household.

However, there is an unspoken recognition ofthe mother's role and importance.

Within the family there is a general respect formales and for those older than oneself. Theyoung show respect toward older siblings.

Aging parents are taken care of by their children


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FOOD

Iranian food has been influenced by Turkey,Greece, India, and Arab countries. Theseinfluences can be seen in such dishes as shishkabob, stuffed grape leaves, spicy curry stews,and dishes made of lamb, dates, and figs.

Iranians have a healthy diet centered on freshfruits, greens and vegetables. Meat (usually

lamb, goat, or chicken) is used as a condimentrather than as the centrepiece of a meal.

Bread and rice are a must at an Iranian table.

Yogurt is a main part of the Iranian diet.


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EMPLOYMENT Industry employs about one-third of Iran's work

force. Occupations include mining, steel and

cement production, and food processing.

About 40% of the work force is employed inagriculture. This category includes farming,

raising livestock, forestry, and fishing.


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SPORTS

Iran's most popular sports are wrestling, weightlifting, football and horse racing.


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Wrestling


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Body Building


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Other Games1. Football2. Basketball

3. Weight Lifting4. Skiing5. Hiking And Climbing Sports6. Martial Arts

7. Volleyball8. Footsal (Indoor Football)9. Tennis


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Water Polo


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RECREATION In rural areas, people are entertained by

travelling groups of actors who recite poetry and

perform plays.

In urban areas, men enjoy spending their leisuretime in teahouses, socializing and smoking

the hookah, or water pipe. Women enjoyentertaining family and friends in the home.They often spend time engaged in crafts.


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Hooka


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Persian

Literature

Persian literature is the


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Alphabet Persian alphabet was highly Arabized andwritten in a modified Arabic script.

It was written since the 9th century with aslightly extended form of the Arabic alphabetand with many Arabic loanwords.


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Language Iran's official language is Farsi, which is also

known as Persian. Farsi is also spoken in parts of

Turkey and Afghanistan.

Many Iranians understand Arabic, the languageof the Koran (the sacred text of Islam).

They also speak Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Lori,Gilaki, Mazandarani, Balochi & Turkmen.


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Poetry

Poetry is a very important part of Persianculture. Poetry is used in many Persian classicalworks, whether from literature, science, ormetaphysics.

Persian poetry is always rhymed.

Persian cultivated four unique types of poetry:

Qasideh, Masnavi, Qazal and Ruba'i(epic).


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Iranian poets have penned some of the most

wonderful, moving poetry in the history ofhumankind. The great poets Firdaws, Hfez,Sa'ad, and Jall ad-D n ar-R m and a host ofothers are an intimate part of the life of everyIranian.

The most famous of Iranian poets was Firdawsi(AD 9401020), who wrote Iran's national epic,

the Shahnameh (Book of Kings). Anotherinternationally known Iranian poet was OmarKhayyam (eleventh century AD). He becamefamous when Edward Fitzgerald, a British

writer, translated 101 of his poems in the


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For thirty years, I suffered

much pain and strife

with Persian I gave theAjamverve and life

Ferdowsi(9351020)

Of one Essence is the

human racethus has Creation put

the base

One Limb impacted is

sufficientFor all Others to feel the

Mace

Saadi(11841283)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajamhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadi_(poet)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saadi_(poet)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdowsihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajam


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CULTURAL HERITAGE

The culture of Iran is a mix of ancient pre-Islamic culture and Islamic culture. Iranianculture has long been a predominant culture ofthe region, with Persian considered the language

of intellectuals during much of the 2ndmillennium, and the language of religion and thepopulace before that.

Iran is known for its magnificent mosques andother architecture, commissioned by rulersthroughout history.

One of the most fascinating items of Iranianartwork is the "Peacock Throne " on which all of


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Architecture

Persias Architecture was mostly designed byPersias kings. King Darius designed many ofPersias buildings, a few including the terrace of

Persepolis, main royal audience hall, theApadena, Persias largest building, and severalpalaces. However, although Darius designedmost of these buildings, he did not live to see his

drawings made into reality. He died before manyof the buildings were completed and his son,Xerxes, finished all of them.


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Architecture


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Architecture


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Architecture


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Architecture


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Architecture


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Architecture


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ARTS

Persian miniature paintings illustrating Iranianepics and classic stories are among the world'sgreat art treasures. These miniatures depictedboth humans and animals.

The most notable Persian artwork is seen in themasterful WOVEN CARPETS.


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MUSIC Persian classical music is one of the most

elaborate and inspiring artistic forms ever

created.


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KAMANCHEH-bowed string instrument,

traditionally kamanchehs had three silk strings. Thestrings are played with a variable-tension bow: the word"kamancheh" means "little bow" in Persian.

TOMBAK/TONBAK- is a goblet drum fromPersia. The tonbak is normally positioneddiagonally across the torso while the playeruses one or more fingers and/or the palm(s)of the hand(s) on the drumhead, often (for aringing timbre) near the drumhead's edge.Sometimes tonbak players wear metal finger

rings for an extra-percussive "click" on thedrum's shell. Tonbak virtuosi perform soloslasting ten minutes or more.


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NEY- is an end-blown fluteoriginating from Iran thatfigures prominently inMiddle Eastern music. Insome of these musicaltraditions, it is the only windinstrument used. The ney has

been played continuously for4,5005,000 years, making itone of the oldest musicalinstruments still in use.

SANTUR- is a Iranian hammereddulcimer. It is a trapezoid-shaped

box often made of walnut ordifferent exotic woods. TheIranian classical santur has 72strings, 18 sets of four.


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TAR- long-necked, waisted instrument.The word tar itself means "string" inPersian.

HARP- is a multi-stringed instrumentwhich has the plane of its stringspositioned perpendicularly to thesoundboard.


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Cinema

Iranian cinema has thrived in modern Iran, andmany Iranian directors have garnered worldwiderecognition for their work. Iranian movies havewon over three hundred awards in the past

twenty-five years including Oscars.

Persian culture can be defined through its films,as Persian cinema has attained a substantial

amount of international and critical acclaimthrough such films as Children of Heaven andTaste of Cherry, which give both insights intothe current state of Persian culture and profound

depictions of the general human condition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Heavenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste_of_Cherryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taste_of_Cherryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_Heavenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Iran


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City Theaterof Tehran, the largest auditorium in Western Asia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_City_Theaterhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran_City_Theater


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Famous Authors in Iran

1. Abbas Kiarostami ~ Walking with the Wind2. Abbas Marufi

3. Abbas Milami ~ Tajaddud va

4. Abolfazl Angha

5. Abolhassan Etessami6. Afsane Najmabadi

7. Afshin Ellian

8. Amad Aknarpur

9. Amad Amhmoud10. Amad Shamlu

Documents

Persian Literature in Literature 2 (Literature of the World)