Iran (Culture & Traditions)

[Rasputin]

The term "Ariya" appears in the royal inscriptions in three different context: As the name of the language of the Old Persian version of the inscription of Darius the Great in Behistun; as the ethnic background of Darius in inscriptions at Naqsh-e-Rostam and Susa (Dna, Dse) and Xerxes in the inscription from Persepolis (Xph) and as the definition of the God of Arya people, Ahuramazda, in the Elamite version of the Behistun inscription. For example in the Dna and Dse Darius and Xerxes describe themselves as “An Achaemenian, A Persian son of a Persian and an Aryan, of Aryan stock”.

[Rasputin]

Perhaps the biggest struggle in Iranian Fashion history has been the struggle between the old and the new. Iranians have notoriously been fashion innovators trying to balance expectations of the different tastes in this vast country. Classic Qajar dress code was the last time Iranians witnessed traditional clothes, which included some form of veil, or hejab, for the woman. In the countryside, women have always worn head scarves, which are usually lively and colorful to protect hair from dust. Scarves and wraps are worn often and gathered at the waists to free up the arms. The black chador, seen on the streets even today, probably made its entry in the late 18th century as a way for women to appear in public. In early Persian, women were not allowed to appear in public without some form of veiling. Eventually, traditional Persian and local village clothes were traded in for the more fancy and respected Western outfits in the early 19th century.

As more Iranians travelled to Europe, and the Far East, more fashions and materials were brought to the cities which allowed for more contemporary and modern designs. Reza Shah Pahlavi was the first shah to challenge the chador. In 1935, while he aggressively moved to modernize the country in economic, structural, and political ways, the shah of Iran issued a decree banning the chador. He made the act an offense punishable by prison. He also banned the wearing of turbans and beards by men. To reinforce this, he invited the Queen Mother and royal princesses, unveiled, to a graduation ceremony at the Women's Teacher Training College in Tehran in 1936. The shah told his audience that all Iranian women should follow their example and "cast their veils, this symbol of injustice and shame, into the fires of oblivion." Over the years, veils, beards, and turbans have become political tools to show allegiance for or against forms of government. Duing the entire Pahlavi era in Iran, the more educated or more modern Iranians wore Western clothes such as mini s***ts, bellbottoms, colorful and more revealing clothes. Approximately 60 years after Reza Shah's decree, another mandate was passed requiring the hejab, with the arrival of the Islamic revolution. Ayatollah Khomeini labeled the chador, as "the flag of the revolution." Since the revolution, the many roosari-wearing (headscarf) fashionistas have found ways to satisfy their thirst for haute couture by wearing heavier make-up and the latest trends under their Islamic dress.

[Rasputin]

List of English words of Persian origin.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
At a deep cultural level, many Persian and English words are cognates that derive from their shared Proto-Indo-European roots. These cognates are too numerous to list here.

Many words of Persian origin have made their way into English through different circuitous routes. Some of them, like "paradise" date to the cultural contacts between the Persians and Greeks in the Hellenistic culture of Antiquity, and through Greek and then Latin found their way to English. Persian as the second important language of Islam has influenced many languages in the Muslim world, and its words have found their way beyond the Muslim world.

Persia, which was never colonised by outsiders, remained largely impenetrable to English-speaking travellers, well into the 19th century. Persia was protected from Europe by overland trade routes that passed through territory inhospitable to non-Muslims, while trade at Persian ports in the Persian Gulf was in the hands of locals. In contrast, intrepid English traders operated in Mediterranean seaports of the Levant from the 1570s, and some vocabulary describing features of Ottoman culture found their way into the English language. Thus many in the following list of English borrowings, though they were originally from Persian, arrived in English through Turkish mediaries. Compare List of English words of Etruscan origin for a similar situation.

Other words of Persian origin found their way into European languages— and eventually reached English at second-hand— through the Moorish-Christian cultural interface in the Iberian peninsula during the Middle Ages thus being transmitted through Arabic or, much later, through Hindi during the British Raj.

[Rasputin]

نمايشگاه هفت هزار ساله هنر ايران بازندگی مردم و تاريخ ايرانزمين پيوند دارد و تار و پود آن از تجربيات هنرايرانی است. اين يک واقعيت است که هنر و فرهنگ ايرانی چندين اقوام مغولی رابه تحليل برده و چندين تمدن را در آغوش مدنيت خود پرورده و به حد رشد و بلوغ رسانيده است. بر پايی موزه ها ونمايشگاههای هنر نقش شايان توجهی در معرفی "روح ايرانی" دارد. روح ملی ايرانی در ادوار تاريخی خود اثراتی از خود زاييده وتجلياتی در نمايشگاه مدنيت جهان به ارمغان گذاشته است. انحطاط مقام هنر و فرهنگ در زندگی اجتماعی، کاهش ذوق ملی، دلمردگی روح ايرانی، ناهنجاری سيستم آموزش و پرورش ايران، ضعف سازمان ميراث فرهنگی، بافت فرسوده وزارت فرهنگ، عدم شناخت مردم از موزه های موجود آثار باستانی و مردمشناسی، ضعف رسانه های همگانی، گم شدگی نسل دوم و سوم انقلاب از هويت و پيشينه تاريخی و هنری خود، مشکلات اقتصادی و...از عوامل مهم استقبال مردم از موزه ها به شمار می روند. فرهنگ سازی، اطلاع رسانی و دغدغه های اقتصادی، سه چالش اصلی آسيب شناسی موضوع فوق و مرتبط با آن را تشکيل می دهد. شاهکارهای هنر ايرانی و شکوه آن در حدی است که حتی پروفسور آرتور اپهام پوپ (۱۸۸۱-۱۹۶۹) به واسطه دلبستگی به هنر و فرهنگ ايرانی وصيت می کند که در خاک ايران به خاک سپرده شود (سال ۱۳۴۸ خورشيدی در کنار زاينده رود اصفهان پار مشتاق فعلی). اما متاسفانه هنوز پس از ۶۰ سال از تدوين کتاب ۱۲ جلدی ارزشمند و بی نظير "بررسی هنر ايران" به فارسی ترجمه نشده است. اين کتاب گرانبها خدمات ايران را به فرهنگ و هنر جهان آشکار می سازد. در اين کتاب معماری، کوزه گری، نقاشی، خوشنويسی، بافندگی، فلزکاری، منبت کاری، سنگتراشی و... از روزگاران گهن مورد بررسی ومطالعه قرار گرفته و در واقع "موزه تاريخ هنر ايران" بشمار می رود

[Rasputin]

خانم هما سرشار در مصاحبه با شعبان جعفرى, تلاش مىكند (با اشاراتى چه در متن و چه در پانويسها) از وى چهره اى لوطى, مردمى, جوانمرد و پهلوان...ارائه داده وبطور ضمنى وى را كنار پهلوان اسطوره اى ايران رستم قرار دهد
شعبان جعفرى كه مردم به او لقب بى مخ دادند, از قضاى روزگار از جانب آخوندها به خاطر فعاليتهايش برعليه دولت ملى مصدق و نقش وى در كودتاى آمريكائى 28 مرداد و بازگرداندن شاه به لقب تاجبخش هم مفتخر مىشود. اينك بخشهايى از مصاحبه خانم هما سرشار با شعبان جعفرى را مىآورم تا معناى پهلوان, لوطىو جوانمرد و... در قاموس خاطره نويسانى چون خانم سرشار برايمان روشنتر شود

شخصيت شعبان
س: هيچ مدرسه رفتيد؟
ج: والا مدرسه... تفريبا... مدرسه بصيرت رفتم, با تيمسار رضا عشيمى و تيمسار مهدى رحيمى نيا, اينا مدرسه بصيرت بوديم. بعدم رفتم مدرسه عنصرى. بعد رفتم يه مدرسه اى به نام مدرسه اسلام
س: چرا اين همه مدرسه عوض مىكرديد؟
ج: آخه بيرونم ميكردن
س: چرا؟ شر بوديد؟ اذيت مىكرديد؟
ج: آره ديگه, بيرونمون ميكردن. آخرشم پدر خدا بيامرزم نذاشت بريم ديگه.... تفريبا تا كلاس چار خوندم. بعدش ديگه نرفتم.... پدرم خدا بيامرزدش, منو گذاشت ريخته گرى, از ريخته گرى بيرونم كردن, آورد گذاشت آهنگرى. همينجور يكى يكى ما رو ميذاشت سر كار, نميذاشت بيكار باشيم. بعد سرلشگر شفايى رئيس قورخونه كه همه كاره رضاشاه اينا بود منو برد تو قورخونه, يه مدتى تو قورخونه كار كردم
س: اولين بارى كه زندان رفتيد چند سالتان بود؟
ج: اولين دفعه كه افتادم زندان پونزده سالم بود
س: همدوره هاى شما چه كسانى بودند؟
ج: همدوره اياى من تو محل؟... خُب بچه ها خيليا بودن... مثلا سيد اكبر خراط بود, ممد آهنگر بود كه اعدامش كردن. ناصر فرهاد بود كه موهاى بور و چشاى زاغ داشت. اونم به جرم دو فقره قتل اعدام شد... مثلا بهرام خاقانى, بچه محل شاه آباد بود, يه بوكسور عالى بود كه چون تو كاباره شكوفه نو آدم كشت زندانش كردن, چار سال حبسى كشيد اومد بيرون.... مصطفى ديوونه
س: شما را بردند سربازوظيفه؟ خودتان كه نمىخواستيد برويد سربازى؟
ج: چرا, خودمون رفتيم. به حساب از رو بيكارى رفتيم نقليه. وقت سربازيم نشده بود هنوز. يه سال مونده بود. بايد بيست ساله برم سربازى, من نوزده رفتم اونجا اسم نوشتم. بعد ديدم تعليم سخته هى فرار ميكرديم.... يه سال يه سال و نيمى اونجا بودم يه دفعه ديدم كه گفتن روسا از طرف كرج ميان, انگليسام ازطرف شابد و لعظيم...تومحل يه اتفاقى افتاده بود كه منو اونجا زندان كرده بودن(به جرم قتل يك عكاس)...يهوديديم سربازا همه دارن فرار ميكنن. يكى يك ديگ ورداشته, يكى چار تا پتو ورداشته, يكى چرخ ماشينو در آورده داره ميبره, يكى فلان چيزو, ولى تفنگ مفنگ نه, ورداشتن و دارن فرار ميكنن. خلاصه سربازا همه رفتن. همون روز بود كه نميدونم 20 شهريور بود چى بود؟
گويا در اين سال در لاهيجان هم شلوغ كرديد؟
ج: بله تو رشت. چون لاهيجان تا رشت انقدى راه نيست...شب يه جا دعوامون شد. اينا رفتن به ما بستن كه من فحش دادم به شاه. خلاصه دادگاهى شديم و اونجا نشستيم گفتيم: بابا ما گفتيم خوارشو گا...م شما خيال كردين من گفتم خواهر شاه رو گا...م
س: گفتيد زياد دنبال عشق نبوديد؟ يعنى عاشق نشديد؟
ج: اصلا و ابدا. باورت ميشه خانوم من تو زندگيم عاشق نشدم؟ تا امروز عاشق نشدم

ارتباط با آيات عظام, و داستان اينكه چگونه شعبان بى مخ " تاجبخش " مىشود
هما سرشار: در شاهنامه لقب ?تاجبخش? براى رستم به كار رفته است. روشن نيست آن كسى كه اين لقب را به شعبان جعفرى داده است اين نكته را مىدانسته يا نه؟
س: لقب ? شعبان تاجبخش ? را چه كسى به شما داد؟ آخر مىگويند شما كمك كرديد و شاه را برگردانديد سر تاج و تخت, مگر نه؟
ج: نه خانون, يه آخوندى بالاى منبر اينو گفت, همون بعداز اينكه اين پيشامدا شد, اونم مىخواست اين وسط بُل بگيره, اونجا بالاى منبر گفت: ? اين آقاى جعفرى تاجبخشه, ايشون اين كارا رو كرده, اون كارا رو كرده. ? مردمم اين حرفا رو كه يارو به ك.. ما بسته بود ميشنيدن و ميرفتن بازگو ميكردن
س: با روحانيون ارتباط داشتيد؟
ج: بله, آخه من با فدائيان اسلام بودم, با نواب صفوى ام عكس دارم. آيت الله كاشانى را از نظر سياسى دنبالش بوديم. يكي دو دفعه پيش آيت الله بروجردى رفتم... يه دفعه نواب, (مظفر) ذزالقدرو ميفرسته دم خونه ما. ذوالقدر همونه كه علا رو ميزنه
س: خود نواب صفوى؟
ج: بله خود نواب به من زنگ زد. يه كارى با من داشت, منم اينور و اونور زدم كارشو وسيله منوچهر پسر برادرم راه انداختم

همكارى عمله شاه و شيخ برعليه مخالفان سياسى خود
س: در ارتباط با آيت الله كاشانى, شما كى با او آشنا شديد و چگونه جزو پيروان آيت الله كاشانى شديد؟
ج: والا همون موقع هايى كه به حساب تو كار مبارزه با كمونيستا بوديم....بعداز چند وقت ديگه اش گفتن كاشانى ميخواد از تبعد برگرده, اين شد كه ما رفتيم خونه كاشانى و اومديم تشكيلات درست كرديم كاشانى رو بياريمش... ازدم فرودگاه مهرآباد تا خونه ش طاق نصرت زده بودن. گاو وگوسفند و تا حتى شتر براى قربونى آورده بودن. از دم فرودگاه مهرآباد پشت ماشين اين همينجور ميدويدم كه مردم حمله نكنن, مردمو ميزدم عقب. وقتى خواست پياده بشه مردم هجوم آوردن, نميتونست پياده بشه. گفت جعفرى مردمو رد كن!? گفت اينا رو بزن كنار نميتونم پياده بشم! ? منم حالا هى داد ميزنم مردم نميرن كنار. خب اعصابم خراب شده بود. رفتيم بالاى چارپايه گفتيم: ? ايهاالناس من هيچى, اين سيد خوار ك...رو له كردين! ?. تا گفتيم ? سيد..? , به جون بچه م, خدا بيامرزدش, دهنش خيلى لق بود. همچى كرد: خوار ك...خودتى! ...پدر سوخته
س: از آن به بعد رابطه تان با كاشانى چطور شد؟ باز هم سراغش مىرفتيد؟
ج: يه مدتى رابطه مون قطع شد, بعد خوب شد. آخه خُب من اصلا طرفدار كاشانى بودم. يه صبحى رفتيم تو خونه ش گفت: ? اعليحضرت داره از مملكت ميره. برين نذارين بره بيرون. اگر اعليحضرت بره عمامه مام رفته! ?...من اومدم رفتم سر بازار سخنرانى كردم و اينا و گفتم: ?ايهاالناس, مغازه هاتونو ببندين, دكوناتونو ببندين. اعليحضرت شاه داره از مملكت خارج ميشه. اگه شاه بره شما زندگيتون از بين ميره و اينا...? ديديم هيشكى محل نذاشت. رفتيم دو مرتبه سخنرانى كرديم, ديديم نه, حالا كه فهميده بودن مصدق ميخواد شاه رو بيرون كنه , هرچى كرديم گوش نكردن... رفتيم ناصرخسرو, اومديم يه نعش درست كرديم,راستش! متكا و فلان و اينا رو گذاشتيم رو يه تخته و دو سه تا مرغ از اون مرغاى رسمى گرفتم, خوناشونو ريختيم اون رو, خلاصه, اينو راه انداختيم و گفتيم: ?كشتن! آي كشتن!? بله, ما راه افتاديم و رفتيم خونه شاه, يه عده از اين افسر مفسرها اونجا وايسادن و..گفتم آقاى كاشانى منو فرستاده و اين صحبتا.. اومدم نذاريم شاه بره.. گفتن اگه راست ميگين برين در خونه مصدق, ومصدق رو بيارين نذاره شاه بره. شاه تو ايوون وايساده بود. بعد اينا همه اومدن.. ما رفتيم در خونه مصدق.. ميله هاى بالاى درو اون كند و ما كنديم و.. ديديم هيچ جور نميشه, اومديم يه جيپى اونجا بود, جيپو گرفتيم زديم تو خونه مصدق.خدمت شما عرض كنم كه, تيمسار خسروانى بود و تيمسار حكيمى بود و تيمسار صديق مستوفى با سرهنگ عزيز رحيمى

[Rasputin]

س: اين چه تاريخى است؟
ج: 9 اسفند(1331) ديگه

حرفهاى زير مال چماقدار الله كرم يا ديگر جانوران حزب الهى نيست, بلكه ازفرمايشات پهلوان جوانمرد خانم سرشار يعنى شعبان جعفرى (بى مخ يا تاجبخش) هست
س: آيت الله كاشانى شما و يك عده از دوستانتان را براى خودش حفظ ميكرد تا زمانى كه مىخواهد كارى انجام بدهد از شماها بهره بردارى كند, از يك طرف هم مثلا نيروهاى انتظامى(شهربانى) و دستگاه حكومتى, سپهبد زاهدى و همدستان او هم شما را براى خودشان نگه داشتند تا مثلا 28 مرداد از شما استفاده كنند. نظرتان چيست؟
ج تا اون روز 14 آذر كه ما زديم كمونيستا رو اونجور درب و داغون كرديم و با كمونيستا درافتاديم و دعوا كرديم, اينا(شهربانى) ديگه با ما شدن. ديگه خودشون مجبور بودن با ما همكارى كنن. ... بعد چندتايى به ما گفتن آقاى جعفرى, خانه صلح اونجاست تو خيابون فردوسى? گفتيم: ? بچه ها بريم خانه صلح? و ريختيم اون تو. خلاصه, ما اونجا رو زديم بهم و بچه هام صندليها رو شكستن و ميخوندن: ?خانه صلح آتيش گرفت! ج...خونه آتيش گرفت!?. رفتيم طرف خيابون اسلامبول. توى كيوسك ها پر بود ازچيزهاى (نشريات)توده اى. من به بچه ها گفتم: ?هرجا كه از اين چيزاى كمونيستى و كلوپ و از ايناست به من نشون بدين? . من ميگشتم عقب ?چلنگر? و روزنامه ?مردم?, خلاصه راه افتاديم همينجور و چند تا از اين كيوسكاى توى خيابون نادرى و اسلامبول و اينا رو يه خرده خُب بساطشونو بهم زديم.... تا رسيديم به چارراه حسن آباد, برادراى لنكرانى همونجا برنامه ريزى و كارگردانى ميكردن(منظور بىمخ, مىبخشيد تاجبخش, جمعيت ايرانى هواداران صلح است) . خلاصه ما اونجا اونا رو يه خرده با بچه ها زير و روش كرديم. بله روزنامه ?مردم? و ديگه اونجا بچه ها همه رو از بيخ و بُن كندن و بردن. البته پليس و مليس و بساط و اينا بود ولى هيچكدوم جلو نميومدن
ماجراى برهم زدن اجراى نمايشنامه ?مردم? عبدالحسين نوشن در تئاتر فردوسى و تشكر دربار از شعبان و پرداخت پول به وى بعنوان پاداش
س: آقاى جعفرى چگونه سياسى شديد؟
ج: ... رفتيم لاله زار.. تماشاخونه فردوسى..تقريبا بيست و سه چهار سالم بود... اونوفتا سرباز نقليه بودم... اون يارو مميزه كه بليط پاره ميكنه... ديد ما سروصدا مىكنيم, رفت بيرون و با يه سروان دژبان اومد و يواشكى گفت پاشو بيا بيرون. گفتم نميام... ديدم اين رفت و يه افسر پليس اومد, بعد دوتا پليس. ما ديديم بالاخره اينجا بايد يه كارى بكنيم, بايد يه دعوايى به پا كنيم. زديم تو سر يارو كنترليه ...و شلوغ راه انداختيم, چه شلوغى. يه افسرىبا ما شناس بود , گفت بريم دژبان, مارو انداختن تو مجرد. رزم آرا خدا رحمتش كنه رئيسستاد بود گفت: تحويل جزيره خاركش بدين. يه حكم ماشين كردن كه ما رو تحويل ركن دو ستاد ارتش بدن. اينا دوتا سرباز گذاشتن عقب سرما, دوتا سرباز گذاشتن جلو...بعد ديدم دوتا سربازايى كه دارن جلو ميرن همينجور دارن ميرن. خُب بايد اقلا گاهى برگردن منو نيگاه كنن. من همينجورى زير چشى نيگاشون ميكردم, برگشتم يهو ديدم دوتا سرباز عقبيام نيستن. مام همونجا وايساديم يه خُرده سوت زديم و غزل خونديم و رفتيم خونه, غروب كه شد ديدم...از طرف آگاهى يه سرگردى در زد اومد خونه پيش ما و گفت: نميخواى چند روز برى اينور اونور؟ چندتا سئوال كرد و جواب داديم و گفت آقاى جعفرى كار خوبى كردين, خلاصه دستگاه خوشش اومده از اين كارتون. اينا داشتن نمايش ?مردم? ميدادن عليه شاه.تو فقط يه چند روز خودتو نشون نده و بيا برو. كجا دوست دارى بفرستيمت؟ گفتم والا رشت و لاهيجان آب و هواش بهتره, ما رو بفرستين اونجا. خلاصه پونصد تومن به ما دادن. اونوقتا پونصد تومن خيلى پول بود. ما گفتيم برادر, پونصد تومن خرج چار روزكله پاچه مام نميشه. خلاصه كردنش دوهزار تومن
س: درباره كريمپور شيرازى هم حرف داريد بزنيد. حالا وقتش است؟
ج: ..آورده بودنم زندان دادگسترى كه منو محاكمه كنن(سر جريان يورش به خانه مصدق), اينم آورده بودن(كريمپور شيرازى مدير روزنامه شوزرش كه بعداز كودتاى 28 مرداد توسط اشرف پهلوى و شاهپور عليرضا در زندان سوزانده شد در سال ارديبهشت 1331 به اتهام توهين به مقام سلطنت در زندان بود), منم هميشه خداخدا ميكردم اين يه روزى گير من بيفته. بعد اومدن به من گفتن اين تو بيمارستان زندان دادگستريه...منم خودمو زدم به مريضى و رفتم تو بيمارستان. كريمپورو اونجا ديدم و همونجا حسابشو رسيدم
س: او را زديد؟
ج: آره, حسابى حسابشو رسيديم
س: هيچكس جلوتان را نگرفت؟
ج: كسى نميتونست جلو ما رو بگيره
س: مىگويند در زندان آتشش زدند
ج: بله لحاف محاف ميندازن تو سلولش, نفت روش ميريزن و آتيشش ميزنن
س: در نشريه سيمرغ خاطره اى از شما و انجوى شيرازى را نقل كرده است
ج: موقعى كه براى 9 اسفند توى زندان موقت شهربانى بوديم, يكى يه روزنامه اى (آتشبار) اورد داد به من ديدم تو اين عكس ثريا را گذاشته, سر ثريا رو گذاشته بود با بدن لخت يه آرتيست لخت زيرشم نوشته بودملكه عفت?. اتفاقا زد و پس فردا شبش ديديم اينو آوردنش زندان و بردن پيش افسر نگهبان. گفتماگه ممكنه بفرستينش بياد اون بالا? مام برديم انداختيمش تو كريدور پنج ..زدنى توكار نبود, هُل دادن بود

اگر شيخ زهرا خانم دارد,? شاه هم پروين آژدان قزى داشت
س: برگرديم توى دادگاه
ج: بله يه (رقيه آزادپور معروف به) پروين آژدان قزى بود, يكى دوتاى ديگرم آورده بودن كه مثلا ميخواستن به مردم بفهمونن كه طرفداراى شاه يه مشت چاقوكش و فاحشه ماحشه هستن
س: آژدان قزى؟ چرا اين لقب را به او داده بودند؟
ج: بسكى گردن كلفت بود! قز به تركى يعنى زن, آژدانم يعنى آژان ديگه! همه كاره بود خانم
س: اسامى آدمهاى ديگر يادتان است؟
ج: حسين رمضون يخى رو آوردن چند تام افسر بودن يه احمد عشقى ام بود كه يه دفعه ام تو دادگاه ترياك خورد... ما رو بردن زندان تحويل دادن..(بعداز فرار شاه در 25 مرداد) در اين مابين اومدن به من گفتن يه خانمى اومده تو رو ميخواد? اومديم يه سر و گوش آب داديم ديديم پروين آژدان قزيه. گفتبر و بچه ها دارن شلوغ ميكنن. يه پيغوم ميغومى براى بر و بچه ها بده تا من برم باهاشون صحبت كمم و اينا.يه چيزى نوشته اى بده?... تيمسار خلعتبرى و بيوك صابر و يه افسرى, خلاصه اين سه چارتا يهواومدن در زندان و گفتن: ?زاهدى? جعفرى رو ميخواد? منو ورداشتن بردن بالاى شهربانى, ديدم زاهدى و اينا همه تواتاق جمعن, تا رسيديم زاهدى بغل وا كرد مام رفتيم توبغل تيمسار و اونم ما رو يه ماچ كرد

[Rasputin]

س: شما چندتا نوچه داشتيد؟
ج: ما ديگه اون آخرسر هزارو هشتصد تا مياورديم جلو شاه.... يه وقت كه اعليحضرت ميخواستن ازمسافرتى جايى بيان ميتونستم تا چار پنج هزار نفرو خبر كنم بيان برن توخط سير

اين هم مزدش
شعبان جعفرى: خُب خدا بيامرزه اعليحضرتو, يه وقت يه ماشينى به من داد و ما اومديم سوار شديم. گفتم اصلا اين ماشين كاديلاك رو آدم سوار بشه بيشتر دشمن پيدا ميكنه, اينه كه اونم دادم و يه جيپ خريدم
اعليحضرت, خدا بيامرزدش, يه فرمانى صادر كرد كه بايستى سرپرست ورزش باستانى بشم, حُكمشم هست

فكر نكنيد سلطنت طلبان پس از فرار به اروپا و آمريكا و ديدن دمكراسى غربى از گذشته درس گرفته و مدرن و? دمكرات شده و در نظام مورد دلخواه آنها از برهم زدن تجمعات مردم و چماقدارى خبرى نبوده و تاريخ مصرف شعبان بى مخ و امثال او تمام شده است
بعداز انقلاب:

شعبان جعفرى: يه يه سال و نيمى انگليس بودم. يه خانمى به اسم دريابيگى كه به حساب خاله شهبانو بود. ما پيش اين رفت و آمد داشتيم. يه روز خانوم به من گفتش: ?شاهزاده رضا پهلوى با شهبانو اومده بودن اينجا, صحبت تو اومد ميون? گويا رضا پهلوى پرسيده بوده: ?جعفرى اينجا چيكار ميكنه؟ بگو بياد پيش من.?
لندن كه بودم اون ممد افشارم تو لندن بود. يه روز گفت: ?ما اينجا شبا كميسيون گذاشتيم براى اينكه ميخوان واسه مشروطيت يه رئيس تعيين كنن: جلسه مشروطيت? گفت: ? خسروانيه, كيه كيه...?
تو آمريكا بودم كه برام از طرف (ارتشبد آريانا) آريانا خدا بيامرز پيغوم آوردن كه برم تركيه باهام كار داره. رفتم تركيه و باهاش مدتى همكارى كردم... دوتا نامه به من داد كه برم اسرائيل يكى رو بدم اسحق رابين, يكى ام بدم به قوزى نرگس(غوزى ناركيس يكى از ژنرال هاى ارتش اسرائيل)
خدا رحمت كنه محمدرضا شاه رو, وقتى مرد ما رفتيم قاهره براى تشييع جنازه. خلاصه وقتى رفتيم اونجا, شهبانو ما رو احضار كرد و رفتيم اونجا نشستيم به صحبت كردن. بعد شهبانو ازمن پرسيد: ?چرا اينجورى شد؟ چرا وضع اينجور شد؟ آخه اين چه بود, چرا مردم اي كارو كردن؟... بعد گفتچيزى لازم ندارى؟ چيزى نميخواى؟ اگه چيزى لازم دارى بگو برات روبراه كنيم? ...بعد گفت: ?برو, وليعهدم ميخواد تو رو ببينه?.. قبل از اينكه بيرون بيام ديدم شهبانو فرح خودش اومد يه كتى رو به ما داد از اين نيمچه پالتوهاست, گفتش كه خُب چون اعليحضرت خدا رحمتش كنه مرده, به شما علاقه داشت, ميخوام اينو يادگارى بدم داشته باشى?

و اما داستان جوانمردى
چنانكه خوانديم شعبان بى مخ (مى بخشيد تاجبخش) تعريف كرد كه با مشت و لگد, با چاقو و چماق افتاد به جان انسان هايى كه كوچكترين امكانى براى دفاع از خود نداشتند. پهلوان خانم سرشار با چاقو مىافتد به جان دكتر فاطمى شكنجه شده و لت و پار و دستبند به دست و اسير ماموران كودتاى آمريكايى. مىافتد به جان روزنامه نگار معروف كريمپور شيرازى (زنده زنده سوزاندن كريمپور شيرازى به دستور و با حضور اشرف پهلوى خواهر شاه در زندان بعداز كودتاى 28 مرداد حكايت دلخراش ديگريست كه آنرا مىتوانيد با كليك به اينجا مطالعه كنيد) كه نه تنها زندانى بلكه بيمار و در بيمارستان زندان بسترى بود. لت و پار كردن انجوى شيرازى محقق و نويسنده در زندان موقت شهربانى و ...
فردوسى كه انساندوستى بزرگ و ستايشگر عدالت, آزادگى و خرد بود بارها در شاهنامه انسانهاى بزرگ و خردمند را حتى اگر در صف دشمن بودند مىستايد. نمونه آن پيران سردار تورانيان است كه بد نيست براى تفهيم بهتر فرق پهلوانى و ناپهلوانى بخشهايى از نبرد پيران پهلوان توران با گودرز پهلوان ايرانى را از شاهنامه بخوانيم. با مقدمه كوتاهى از امير مومبيني ? از شگفتيهاي روزگار اين كه گودرز و پيران هر دو بسيار پير و به يك سان خردمند و معادل هم در سرزمين خود بودند. پيران گودرز تورانيان بود و گودرز پيران ايرانيان. و اكنون سرنوشت تلخ اين دو پير مدبر را در نبردي بيدادگرانه روياروي هم نهاده بود تا كه گوشهي ديگري از اندوهنامهي آدمي را بنماياند و نشان دهد چگونه زير تابش آفتاب حقيقت خون خوبان به ناحق ريخته ميشود
گودرز پهلوان، ناشاد از آن نبرد و شرمگين از اين پيروزي، سوگوار بالاي نعش همرزم خود ميايستد و اشك ميريزد. براستي كه تماشاي خون سرخ بر موهاي سپيد و پريشان پهلوان خاموش تلخترين حكايت از بيداد زمانه بود. براي هيچ كسي در جهان پيروزي آن چنان تلخ نبود كه بر كشندهي پيران پير. گودرز به چهرهي همرزم بزرگ خود مينگرد و به آفتابي كه نيزهي نور خود را بر پوست بدون دفاع او فرو ميبرد. پس به سنت بزرگترين بزرگان افسانهها و اساطير، درفش ايرانزمين را بالاي سر پيران در زمين مينشاند تا سايهبان صورت او شود. آنگاه همه را فراميخواند تا به همآيند و پيران پهلوان را، با شكوه و بهآزين و برآيين به آرامگاه سترگ سزاوار او به سينهي كوه ببرند

[Rasputin]

The Art of Taarof

Good Persian culture is peppered with politeness and a pretense at least of being humble. Iranians have a complicated list of things that are considered good and polite in social situations, and not different from those of other cultures. Generally, you want your child to marry into a good family. You want the families to be educated and wealthy and you want your children to be upstanding and polite. You also want to be looked upon by family, friends, and neighbors alike as a gracious, hospitable and welcoming host. “Taarof” has deep roots in the Iranian tradition of treating your guests better than your own family and being great hosts. Taarof is a verbal dance between an offerer and an acceptor until one of them agrees. It is a cultural phenomenon that consists of refusing something that has been offered to you even though you want it, out of politeness. On the giving end, it is offering something that may cost a lot in order to be polite, but not really wanting to give it away for free.

Some examples may clarify taarof. You go over to your aunt’s place and she makes a great Ghormeh Sabzi dish for lunch, which is your favorite. You help yourself to a healthy serving and at the end of it find that you are still hungry. Your kind, loving aunt will offer you another serving and you politely refuse. In this case you are taarof’ing because you would really like to eat more but you are too polite to say yes. But, alas, the Iranians have a solution for this. Your aunt will offer the food a second time and you refuse and then on the third try you can accept without looking like a glutton. Iranians tend to be very sensitive of what others will think of them so this sort of behaviour is expected, although annoying and perhaps antiquated, it is an inherent part of the culture.

Another example is when you go to buy a dress at the store and ask for the price. If it is a small boutique in Iran, the shopkeeper will inevitably, out of politeness, say it is worth nothing. What he is trying to say is that you are worth so much more than the dress and have put him to shame for asking. In reality, he would like to be paid for the dress and is just being polite. After a second or third inquiry, the shopkeeper will probably give you the correct price and offer to accept payment.

The art of taarof in the end becomes a ritual or a game that both participants are aware of playing. Some find it annoying, stupid, and a waste of time, asking the guest not to Taarof (“Taarof Nakonid”) when he refuses something. This is a double-edged sword because maybe the offerer is taarofing himself. This is where taarof can be misleading and land you in very sticky social situations. You never know the true intention of either party and you may not be sure if they really want to offer/take something or not. For example, if you are full and your aunt thinks you are taarofing, you are left having to eat the second serving of her food. And if you don’t eat it, you may insult her and her cooking.
Some of us wish we could do away with this tradition entirely and just be more like Germans, but then again what would our mothers think? Generally though, taarof at parties and social gatherings can be very charming, fun and completely harmless. It is truly one of the greatest distinctly Persian social behaviours that we can think of and is worth experiencing first hand.

[Rasputin]

The Culture of Tea
A big part of the day is consumed by drinking tea for a lot of Iranians. This can be true of a lot of Asian cultures but Iranians have managed to raise the culture of tea drinking to a very distinctly Persian method. This method involves making the tea in what is called a samovar, a brilliant Russian invention for brewing the perfect cup of tea. Traditionally Iranians use a samavar or samovar to make tea. This Russian custom was introduced to Persia in the 18th century and was brought to Russia from West Mongolia in the 17th century. The first samovar factory was founded in Tula in Russia in 1778 and soon became the most popular way for brewing tea. The early samovars were made from cupronickel, red and green copper, pinchbeck, in some cases from silver. Sometimes they were plated with gold, silver, but basic metal was always brass. In the course of centuries samovar shapes changed. Till 20th century they were all hand made and used charcoal to warm up and boil the water. Later liquid fuel like kerosene was used and currently they all work with electricity.

The water is boiled gradually in the large reservoir, there is a central tube in the middle that will carry the steam and the teapot is place on top of this tube and the steam brews the tea slowly. Tealeaves are used and tea bags are not popular. Two or more teaspoons of tealeaves will be put in the pot depending on how many teacups are required. Then the pot is 1/3 to 1/4 filled with boiling water from the reservoir through a small tap. The tea is brewed for 10 to 15 minutes. This tea is very strong and highly concentrated. Only a small amount will be poured in the cups and the rest of the cup will be filled with boiling water from the reservoir. The tea that is brewed longer is spoiled and becomes too strong.
Tea is grown in Iran and is also imported from India. The good quality tealeaves have a unique taste and perfume that is accented by brewing and steaming slowly using a samovar. Sometimes two different kinds of tea will be mixed to get the best taste and perfume. Darjeeling tea, Jahan tea from Iran and India and recently Ahmed tea from India are popular ones, however there are many other varieties available. Many Iranians have got their electric samovars and they can be bought from most Iranian or Russian stores.

If buying a samovar you must make sure that the inside of the reservoir is not copper or lead. There is a possibility of lead or copper poisoning in such cases. There are very good quality samovars made in Iran and Japan and many Iranian stores sell them. Most modern samovars are made from stainless steal and are very safe. There are decorative ones made in Iran that is gold or silver-plated from the outside. Always check the inside to make sure they are properly sealed if you are going to use them. They are dangerous items to have around children, since they contain large quantities of boiling water and are normally placed on a table.

Many Iranians have replaced them by specially designed kettles with a tap for boiling hot water. They place these on stovetops to bring the water to boil and place the teapot on the top like a regular samovar. These are always used in the kitchens but make sure children do not have access to them. The tea is drank with sugar or other sweets and is the most popular drink in Iran. The teacups used in Iran are similar to many used in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. They are like small glasses with a saucer and might not have a handle. This makes it difficult for people who are not used to the. Milk is usually not added to afternoon tea and people may like them strong or weak depending on their taste. Tea in Iran is most always consumed with sweets, and pastries. These can be anything as simple as a lump of sugar, or a variety of Persian Baghlava, cookies, shirini, and other sweet Persian desserts.

[Rasputin]

Bilakh - The Iranian Middle Finger
There are many little nuances to every culture that make it unique, and sometimes very funny. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood signs in Iran is the "Bilakh". Bilakh, a hand sign showing one thumb up, is made when one is upset and is trying to tell someone to buzz off, or is trying to get back at them. Unfortunately for the Western world, this sign is the equivalent of the "thumbs up" sign and is often misunderstood and mistaken for the wrong thing.

The origins of bilakh are very obscure and quite debatable. Some say it is what people would want you to sit on if they felt anger towards you. What the middle finger in the West does for telling the person to "f. this" then has a very similar meaning which is "sit on this thumb" (ouch!) and think about that for a while. It is thought that the origins of it also stem from practical jokes where people would place sharp or phalic objects on seats to have people sit on them by mistake and poke fun at the person. In Iran, a bilakh is "given" typically when:

1. One is upset at someone and needs to tell them to "stick it where the sun don't shine"

2. One is trying to prove a point or to get back at someone in the sense of "I told you so". Here the thumb is considered to be handed to them in their lap as a sign of defeat. This is the adult version of sticking your tongue out, which Iranians do all the time.

Word of caution: the bilakh is considered a very very rude gesture. The equivalent of the "thumbs up" then would be a victory sign, holding one hand up and making the V sign with it.

[Rasputin]

The Games of Iran

Ancient Iran boasts the origin of many exciting games, which are still played all over the world. The first of these games is backgammon. It is believed that the origin of the game was in Mesopotamia in the ancient Persian Empire, modern day Iran, Iraq and East Syria. In those days, the game was played on wooden boards as the table, stones, and numbered dice made from bones, stones, wood or pottery. The popularity of the game is still quite high in Iran and many other countries such as Greece, Italy and the Far East. The game is called "Takhteh Nard" which is Farsi for "Battle on Wood". The word “takhteh” means wooden board and “nard” is battle.

Another one of the most popular games still played today in Iran is chess. The origins of chess have always been debated between India, China and Persia. We believe it was originated somewhere in the Persian Empire, which may be part of modern India today. In either case, the game, referred to as “Shatranj” is a highly intelligent and simulating game, which is played by almost all Iranians and has been played all over the world for centuries.

Another popular game, which records its origins in ancient Persia, is the game of Polo. The sport is known as “Chogan” and goes back nearly 2500 years. The Chinese also claim to a similar Polo tradition dating back several thousand years. In all probability the game came from Central Asian nomads who lived on horses and traveled through as far East as the Great Wall all the way the Caspian Sea. In either case, the ancient sport of Persian kings is immortalized on brightly colored miniature paintings and elaborate tapestries today. Polo is not commonly played among Iranians partially due to the need of the equipment and horses. The game has experienced a revival in recent years among Polo lovers with the formation of a National Polo Team.

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Iranian Caviar

Perhaps one of the most prized and delicious products that come from Iran is the Iranian caviar. Caviar can be very expensive due to its rare and delicate nature. Iranian caviar is the roe or eggs from female sturgeon fish caught in the pristine environment along the Caspian Sea. About 90% of Caviar production of the world comes from the Caspian Sea, and it is thought the southern fish, caught along the Iranian coastline produce the best caviar in the world. Caviar is particularly delicate, and difficult to process and handle. The manual labor that goes into packaging the product naturally adds to the cost of the product.
Caviar production starts with catching the fish and bringing them to the all sterile processing facilities, where the fish are washed several times. The next step is to gut the fish, and wash the roe. The eggs are then weighed and strained through a sieve to remove any additional dirt. Next the caviar is salted and packaged into special containers. These containers are then shipped of the retail locations in big cities and major ports.

Iranian Caviar has many followers and like any other delicate food demands a discriminating palate. Iranian caviar is also graded depending on the fish, and the quality of the eggs. Important factors in grading and rating caviar include uniformity of eggs, size, color, egg separation, fragrance, pellucidness and hardness of the eggshells. Each fish has two grades 1 and 2. The fish are (from highest quality to lowest) Beluga, Asetra, Sevruga. The lowest grade goes to Pressed Caviar.
Iranian Caviar is present at stately events, dinner parties and even at home. It can be eaten all on its own or on a thin toasted piece of bread. It can be consumed with grated onions, boiled egg, butter, cheese, and a few drops of lemon. This of course all depends on your taste and preference.

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Iranian Saffron

Iranian Saffron

Although the roots of the spice Saffron are believed to originate from ancient Greek or Roman times, Saffron plays a tremendous role in Persian Cuisine today. According to Greek legend, a handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax. But alas, he was rejected by Smilax, and turned into a beautiful purple crocus flower (crocus sativus). Saffron comes from the Arabic " assfar", meaning yellow. Today's saffron comes from the bright red stigmas of the flower, which flourishes in the fall in many different countries, including Iran, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, India, and Spain. It is native to Asia Minor, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years to be used in medicines, perfumes, dyes, and as a wonderful flavoring for foods and beverages. Persian Saffron is one of the best and highest quality products in the market because of the ideal conditions that it grows in. This tasty spice is also the most expensive spice in the world. American and Mexican saffron is usually safflower, a member of the Daisy family and used also to produce safflower oil. This imitation is dried, and imparts the same yellow color to foods, but it has no distinct flavor and is not a good option. Iranian saffron is grown mostly in the south of Iran, in the province of Khorasan. When saffron shopping, check the Saffron threads (Stigmas) for a deep red color. This is Iranian Sargol and is acknowledged as the best Saffron in the world. Also, it is best if the saffron threads are thoroughly dry and brittle to the touch. The saffron aroma is very strong and always fresh. Be ware of musty or old saffron by checking for these important signs of high quality Iranian saffron.

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Iranian Pistachios
As one of the most delicious, and most popular exports of Iran, the pistachio has a special place in every Iranian’s heart. It is the kind of food that brings families together and is ever-present in every home, ready for the unsuspecting guest or neighbor who may drop in for tea. The Iranian pistachio trees have been around for thousands of years and are home in Kerman province, where more than 160000 hectares of land are under pistachio cultivation.

Pistachios are a natural and healthy snack and can also be used as a delicious ingredient in a variety of dishes and desserts. It is high in energy, potassium, protein, vitamins, minerals phosphorus, calcium, and all the essential amino acids. It is believed that the consumption of pistachio reduces the risk of heart attack and death from coronary diseases. Iranian pistachios come in many varieties and forms. They could salted, roasted, limed, spiced or eaten raw. Iran not only produces the finest variety of pistachio, but is also the top producer of the product, outputting an annual average of 130000 tons. There are different types of Iranian pistachio. These include round pistachios called “Fandoghi”, jumbo pistachios called “Kallehghouchi”, long pistachios called “Akbari”, or “Ahmadaghi Badami”. Iranian Pisachios are by far, the best tasting, and biggest pistachios produced.

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Jashn-e Tirgan - The Rain Festival

This event is celebrated in July (the Tir Month of the Persian calendar) and refers to the archangel Tir (arrow) or Tishtar (lightning bolt) who appeared in the sky to generate thunder and lightning for much needed rain. Legend says that Arash-e Kamangir was a man chosen to settle a land dispute between two leaders, Iran and Turan. Arash was to shoot his arrow on the 13th day of Tir and where the arrow landed, there would lie the border between the two kingdoms.

Turan, who had suffered from the lack of rain, and Iran rejoiced the settlement of the borders, the peace and rain poured onto the two countries. Today, some Iranians celebrate this occasion with dancing, singing, reciting poetry and serving spinach soup and sholeh zarid. It hasalso been observed that during this celebration children rejoice by swimming in streams and splashing water around. The custom of tying rainbow-colored bands on their wrists, which are worn for ten days and then thrown into a stream, is also a great way to rejoice for kids.