ZOURKHANEH: A TRADITIONAL PLACE TO TRAIN WARRIORS IN ANCIENT PERSIA This special form of sport combines the physical training with elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularly Zoroastrianism and Mithraism) with the spirituality of Shia Islam and Sufism. Among all the traditions and rituals in Iran, the idea of developing a special kind of ritual for sport seems very interesting. The name given to this ritual is varzesh-e bastani, which literally means ancient sport. UNESCO has inscribed it as Pahlevani and Zourkhaneh rituals and has recognized it as the world's longest-running form of such training
Zourkhaneh Dating backto the Parthian era (132 BC – 226 AD), this special form of sport combines thephysical training with elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularlyZoroastrianism, Mithraism, and Gnosticism) and the spirituality of Shia Islamand Sufism. It is believed that this sport was also practiced by Rostam, themost celebrated legendary Iranian hero of the Shahnameh epic. In Persianculture, he is a symbol of strength and power as well as being chivalrous.This mythological being is represented as the mightiest of Iranian holywarriors. Practiced in a domed structure, the sport itself is a perfect exampleof an ancient ritual followed for centuries. Zourkhaneh sports are comprised ofa special series of movements and practices accompanied by poems, stories and“Zourkhaneh Beat''. By mimicking the practices and traditions of Sufi orders,the spirit of masculinity and chivalry elevates orreinforce in athletes. Good qualities such as purity of heart and compassionare encouraged in the form of poems and stories sung by “Morshed”. The specialrhythm of the music motivates athletes while exercising. They tune in with themusic and follow the rhythms of Zarb (beat) to create a beautiful sequence ofgroup movements and actions. Among the athletes, this ancient sport is known asthe symbol of respect and courtesy and is associated with many principles. Forexample, all movements are performed after receiving permission from the Sadat's(honorific title denoted to people who have been accepted as true descendantsof the Islamic prophet Muhammad) and preachers of Zourkhaneh
The motto of this ancient sport is to cultivate and strengthen the spirit, mind and body at the same time. Another aspect is to practice concepts like humility, self-sacrifice, manliness, purity, compassion and other good human qualities. Some believe that in ancient times, these athletes were also been taught to practice martial arts and that’s why the tools used in this sport resemble the weapons of those times. The athlete normally uses a pair of wooden clubs (mil), metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights (kabbadeh). They also practice movements like Sufi whirling.
To know this interesting ritual better, several tours in different cities of Iran are designed by INBOUND PERSIA TRAVEL AGENCY. You can enjoy watching the athletes practicing this ancient sport in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, and Isfahan
Zourkhaneh Dating backto the Parthian era (132 BC – 226 AD), this special form of sport combines thephysical training with elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularlyZoroastrianism, Mithraism, and Gnosticism) and the spirituality of Shia Islamand Sufism. It is believed that this sport was also practiced by Rostam, themost celebrated legendary Iranian hero of the Shahnameh epic. In Persianculture, he is a symbol of strength and power as well as being chivalrous.This mythological being is represented as the mightiest of Iranian holywarriors. Practiced in a domed structure, the sport itself is a perfect exampleof an ancient ritual followed for centuries. Zourkhaneh sports are comprised ofa special series of movements and practices accompanied by poems, stories and“Zourkhaneh Beat''. By mimicking the practices and traditions of Sufi orders,the spirit of masculinity and chivalry elevates orreinforce in athletes. Good qualities such as purity of heart and compassionare encouraged in the form of poems and stories sung by “Morshed”. The specialrhythm of the music motivates athletes while exercising. They tune in with themusic and follow the rhythms of Zarb (beat) to create a beautiful sequence ofgroup movements and actions. Among the athletes, this ancient sport is known asthe symbol of respect and courtesy and is associated with many principles. Forexample, all movements are performed after receiving permission from the Sadat's(honorific title denoted to people who have been accepted as true descendantsof the Islamic prophet Muhammad) and preachers of Zourkhaneh
The motto of this ancient sport is to cultivate and strengthen the spirit, mind and body at the same time. Another aspect is to practice concepts like humility, self-sacrifice, manliness, purity, compassion and other good human qualities. Some believe that in ancient times, these athletes were also been taught to practice martial arts and that’s why the tools used in this sport resemble the weapons of those times. The athlete normally uses a pair of wooden clubs (mil), metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights (kabbadeh). They also practice movements like Sufi whirling.
To know this interesting ritual better, several tours in different cities of Iran are designed by INBOUND PERSIA TRAVEL AGENCY. You can enjoy watching the athletes practicing this ancient sport in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, and Isfahan
Inbound Persia Travel Agency Travel Tour Iran