Folksongs from the Mountains of Iran

Folksongs from the Mountains of Iran
Author: Erika Friedl
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2017-12-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1786732785

In Iran, folksongs are part of folklore and offer an intimate portrait of a vanishing era. They are also 'the voice' of ordinary people, providing a medium to express emotions, opinions and concerns. This book is based on folksongs collected over a 50-year period among the Boir Ahmad tribal people in the Zagros Mountains of West Iran. Erika Friedl has recorded, transcribed and translated more than 600 lyrics from a Lur community, and her analysis of the folksongs provides an intimate portrait of local people's attitudes, attachments, fears and desires. From songs of love, sex and mourning, to lyrics discussing beauty, infatuation and the community's violent tribal history, Friedl's solid understanding of the cultural background, lifestyle and worldview of these people lets her add ethnographic details that illuminate the deep meaning of the texts. In this way, Friedl goes far beyond a translation of words: she sheds light on a culture where beliefs, critical evaluation of circumstances and philosophical tenets are shown to be integral to each song's message. Based on fieldwork that began in 1965, Erika Friedl's research on the folklore in Boir Ahmad represents the best-documented modern folklore compendium on an Iranian tribe. This new book will be important for future generations of scholars, including ethnographers, Iranists, linguists, ethnomusicologists and those researching Persian literature and cultures of the Middle East.

Religion and Daily Life in the Mountains of Iran

Religion and Daily Life in the Mountains of Iran
Author: Erika Friedl
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2020-12-10
Genre: History
ISBN: 075561674X

Until the 1960s, little was known inside or outside Iran about the tribes living in the country. The anthropological research of Erika Friedl is now renowned for presenting comprehensive data collected over a 50-year period from her time among the Boir Ahmad tribal people living in the Zagros Mountains of Iran. In this new book, Friedl turns her attention to the subject of religion, which she had only touched upon in her previous work. About ninety percent of people in Iran and nearly everybody in Boir Ahmad are Muslims of the Twelver Shia group. However, studies of tribal people's religiosity, beliefs and rituals are scarce, and many researchers have discounted their views and experience, regarding the tribes as only “nominally religious” because their practices do not fit in with the mainstream practices and ideas in Iran. Religion and Daily Life in the Mountains of Iran corrects this view and provides a hallmark study of tribal people's religiosity. Demonstrating the great diversity of their philosophical and religious ideas, the book reveals the ways in which the tribes choose and express their religion, define their communities and understand their world. From conversations about God and his relationships with people, to observations on ageing and death, and research into the tribe's use of spells, amulets and sacrifices, to their beliefs about saints, health and well-being, the book is an original ethnographic exploration of religion and daily life.

Folk Tales from Iran

Folk Tales from Iran
Author: F.T. Weaver
Publisher: WEST AGORA INT S.R.L.
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2024-12-03
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Unveil the Mystical and Timeless Tales of Ancient Persia Step into a realm where legendary heroes clash in epic battles, where the longest night of the year unveils ancient secrets, and where the wisdom of a serpent queen can alter the fate of an entire kingdom. Folk Tales from Iran: Timeless Iranian Stories of Wisdom, Magic, Tragic Heroes, and Legendary Folk Tales of Persia invites you on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Persian culture, with stories that have been cherished for generations. In this captivating first volume, discover the profound and enchanting tales that have shaped the cultural landscape of Iran. From the tragic conflict between Rostam and Sohrab, a father and son bound by destiny, to the mystical Tale of Yalda Night, where light and darkness dance in the shadows of the longest night, each story in this collection offers a unique glimpse into the values, beliefs, and imagination of the Persian people. A Treasure Trove of Timeless Wisdom These stories are more than just entertainment—they are the distilled essence of human experience, brimming with profound knowledge and timeless teachings. Folk Tales from Iran is a pleasure to read, filled with universal themes of bravery, cleverness, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Perfect for readers of all ages, these tales serve as a bridge to understanding the rich cultural heritage of Iran, offering valuable lessons that resonate across generations. Folk tales are the foundation of human storytelling. Understanding a culture is best done through the stories it tells, and in this volume, you will find a rich tapestry of Persian tradition, ready to be passed down and cherished. Our mission is to preserve this invaluable cultural inheritance, ensuring that these stories continue to inspire and teach for generations to come. A Must-Have for Any Library or Bookshelf We envision this collection as a treasure that any library or bookshelf can hold and pass on to future generations—so they too can be inspired by the timeless wisdom of our ancestors' stories. Whether you are a lover of mythology, a seeker of ancient wisdom, or a parent wanting to introduce your children to the wonders of Persian folklore, this book is an essential addition to your collection. Key Features: Epic Persian Legends: Immerse yourself in the rich folklore of Iran, with stories that capture the essence of the country’s cultural and mythological heritage. Perfect for All Ages: With stories that are as entertaining as they are educational, this collection is suitable for readers young and old, offering something for everyone. Cultural Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of Iranian culture and values through interpretations and analyses of the folk tales that have shaped the nation’s identity. Beautifully Crafted: Designed to be a timeless keepsake, this book is a treasure that will enhance any personal library or bookshelf. Folk Tales from Iran is more than just a book; it’s a journey into the heart of a culture, a celebration of the art of storytelling, and a preservation of a priceless cultural heritage. Add this volume to your collection today and become a part of the timeless tradition of folk tales that continue to inspire and teach us about the world and ourselves.

Nomads in Postrevolutionary Iran

Nomads in Postrevolutionary Iran
Author: Lois Beck
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 517
Release: 2014-09-19
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1317743865

Examining the rapid transition in Iran from a modernizing, westernizing, secularizing monarchy (1941-79) to a hard-line, conservative, clergy-run Islamic republic (1979-), this book focuses on the ways this process has impacted the Qashqa’i—a rural, nomadic, tribally organized, Turkish-speaking, ethnic minority of a million and a half people who are dispersed across the southern Zagros Mountains. Analysing the relationship between the tribal polity and each of the two regimes, the book goes on to explain the resilience of the people’s tribal organizations, kinship networks, and politicized ethnolinguistic identities to demonstrate how these structures and ideologies offered the Qashqa’i a way to confront the pressures emanating from the two central governments. Existing scholarly works on politics in Iran rarely consider Iranian society outside the capital of Tehran and beyond the reach of the details of national politics. Local-level studies on Iran—accounts of the ways people actually lived—are now rare, especially after the revolution. Based on long-term anthropological research, Nomads in Postrevolutionary Iran provides a unique insight into how national-level issues relate to the local level and will be of interest to scholars and researchers in Anthropolgy, Iranian Studies and Middle Eastern Studies.

Tribal Pastoralists in Transition

Tribal Pastoralists in Transition
Author: Frank Hole
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2021-04-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 0915703998

In the spring of 1973, the Baharvand tribe from the Luristan province of central western Iran prepared to migrate from their winter pastures to their summer camp in the mountains. Seasonal migration in spring and fall had been their way of life for as long as anyone in the camp could remember. They moved their camp and their animals—sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and chickens—in order to find green pastures and suitable temperatures. That year, one migrating family in the tribe allowed an outsider to make the trip with them. Anthropology professor Frank Hole, accompanied by his graduate student, Sekandar Amanolahi-Baharvand, traveled with the family of Morad Khan as they migrated into the mountains. In this volume, Hole describes the journey, the modern and prehistoric sites along the way, and the people he traveled with. It is a portrait of people in transition—even as the family follows the ancient migration path, there are signs of economic and social change everywhere. Illustrated. Supplementary videos (on the migration, weaving, harvesting, and the bazaars) can be found on Fulcrum (fulcrum.org/UMMAA).

Coming of Age in Iran

Coming of Age in Iran
Author: Manata Hashemi
Publisher: NYU Press
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2020-05-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1479881945

An inside look at young Iranians navigating poverty and stigma in a time of crisis Crippling sanctions, inflation, and unemployment have increasingly burdened young people in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In Coming of Age in Iran, Manata Hashemi takes us inside the lives of poor Iranian youth, showing how these young men and women face their future prospects. Drawing on first-hand accounts, Hashemi follows their stories, one by one, as they struggle to climb up the proverbial ladder of success. Based on years of ethnographic research among these youth in their homes, workspaces, and places of leisure, Hashemi shows how public judgments can give rise to meaningful changes for some while making it harder for others to escape poverty. Ultimately, Hashemi sheds light on the pressures these young men and women face, showing how many choose to comply with—rather than resist—social norms in their pursuit of status and belonging. Coming of Age in Iran tells the unprecedented story of how Iran’s young and struggling attempt to extend dignity and alleviate misery, illuminating the promises—and limits—of finding one’s place during a time of profound uncertainty.

Storytelling around the World

Storytelling around the World
Author: Jelena Cvorovic
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 305
Release: 2022-03-29
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1440872953

This book provides students, instructors, and lay-readers with a cross-cultural understanding of storytelling as an art form that has existed for centuries, from the first spoken and sung stories to those that are drawn and performed today. This book serves as an indispensable resource for students and scholars interested in storytelling and in multicultural approaches to the arts. By taking an evolutionary approach, this book begins with a discussion of origin stories and continues through history to stories of the 21st century. The text not only engages the stories themselves, it also explains how individuals from all disciplines, from doctors and lawyers to priests and journalists, use stories to focus their readers' and listeners' attention and influence them. This text addresses stories and storytelling across both time (thousands of years) and geography, including in-depth descriptions of storytelling practices occurring in more than 40 different cultures around the world. Part I consists of thematic essays, exploring such topics as the history of storytelling, common elements across cultures, different media, lessons stories teach us, and storytelling today. Part II looks at more than 40 different cultures, with entries following the same outline: Overview, Storytellers: Who Tell the Stories, and When, Creation Mythologies, Teaching Tales and Values, and Cultural Preservation. Several tales/tale excerpts accompany each entry.

Everyday Life in the Muslim Middle East, Third Edition

Everyday Life in the Muslim Middle East, Third Edition
Author: Donna Lee Bowen
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 501
Release: 2014-11-17
Genre: History
ISBN: 0253014727

The substantially revised and updated third edition of Everyday Life in the Muslim Middle East focuses on the experiences of ordinary men, women, and children from the region. Readers will gain a grassroots appreciation of Middle East life, culture, and society that recognizes the impact of wars and uprisings as well as changes to Islamic practice due to advances in technology. The book also explores the influence of social media on politics and labor relations and the changing status of women, family values, marriage, childrearing, gender, and gay rights. This dynamic and imaginative volume continues to provide a rich resource for understanding contemporary Muslim culture in the Middle East.