Ancient and Religious Festivals and Celebrations In Arasbaran Tribe (Garadagh)

Hojjat Niknafs

Dept. of Iranian Studies, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia-

Dept. Humans Science, Hadishahr Branch Islamic Azad University, Hadishahr, Iran

ABSTRACT:

Arasbaran known to the name Garadagh in the previous area is the name of the district in has been located in the North of East Arasbaran in the North West of Iran. Most people in this area are nomads who called Arasbaran (Garadagh) live in the Arasbaran area and all they accepted Islam and are the followers of the Twelve Shiites religion. Some ancient days, such as Yalda night and the ancient festivals, such as Norooz and religious festivals such as the Birth of the Prophet, the Prophet being appointed, GorbanEid, FitrEid, the birth of Ali ibn AbiTalib(peace be upon him), GhadirkhomEid and half of Sha'ban are as the celebrations days in which the most important things like suit, marriage, wedding and Born celebrations are done and congratulate these days to each other and are happy.

KEY WORDS: Arasbaran,festivals, Yalda, Norooz, Fitr, Gorban, Ghadirkhom

INTRODUCTION:

Including national and historical heritage, of people are the festivals and celebrations of that people that people have historically done with commitmentand doing of these celebrations put them as a culture and they transfer them from a generation to the other generation.In Iran, the people of thisland like other people have many different festivals andcelebrations, some of these celebrations have historical root and some other ancient root, whichareknown as the identity of the Iranian people. Iran because of its geographical position and climate has been concerned by different ethnics like Turks throughoutthe history for resident ion because of the mountains and themeadows and they have become of the part of Iranians in the history and they have been called Arasbaran Tribe.

Ten this paper, it has been tried to point out some important ancient and religious celebrating in Iran people are celebrating. Arasbaran tribe people with little difference in how to implement of these celebration are paid.

Yalda: "GariChilla, BoyukChilla" ( = oldChilla, big Chilla):

Yaldais a ceremonies held in the first and longest night of the year, have a very long history and is related to October.These traditions is special traditions of Aryans and particularly the followers of October Faith held in Iran for years.

Yaldanight is the night of the birth and the birth of September is celebrated to commemorate it. The ceremonies after thousands of years has been and remains in its place and it is held aschillanight across Iran[1].

In the Islamic Iranian source, Yalda night has been known birth night, Christ night, the Messiah[2].

Ceremonies that Arasbaran people are doing in this night. Are Including: night parties, water melon of Yaldanight, pomegranate-which is kept with the specific tastes in the garden and under the ground is famous "GuyuNari"(well pomegranate)chilla grape- two types grape in chilleh adorn the table-cloth or so " Myzhmai-Majmaeh". One is a grape is stored under the ground like pomegranate "GuyiAuzumi" and other"MylaqAuzumi" and other foods are used in this night[3].

"Last Wednesday"(=Chaharshanbehsuri)

A series of Aryan celebrations, Indo-Iranian and Indo-European tribes, is fire celebrations. Firefestival are celebration that are started with fire burning for the feast, joy and gladness [4].

In some areas, they held these traditions seriously and houner it and even they know leaving it as a portentous and ominous and account it as a part of traditional and religious beliefs.Chaharshanbehsuri has many ceremonies.

Among the Arasbarantribal,Chaharshanbehsuri is celebrated to a grand form. These ceremonies are including 1. "Shawl or QurshaqSallamaq"; 2. "So AustondanAppylma"(=jump of the water); 3."Faldutmag"(=omen); 4. "PyluvByshirmak"(=rice cooking); 5. "Od Yandyrmaq"(=fire out); 6. "YumurtaAuynamaq"(= egg game). We explain only one of them in the following:

1."Shawl or QurshaqSallamaq".On Wednesday night (=Chaharshanbeh) of unknown individuals or bridegrooms go the roof of the houses and their colorful from the aperture (= Baja) while they closed them to the rope. Homeowners according to its competence and character of the owner of the shawl - if known – closes things to the shawl as a New Year gift. Gifts and New year gifts in the past days- that is already common in many areas – were including floral hand- woven woolen socks, silk embroidery, kids, harmonica, cute chicken, cooked colored eggs, currants , dried fig, hazelnuts, walnuts, among full figs and peach. The ceremony, and it is rather to say reception was done.

As a shawl owner appease or honor thefinances and more to encourage children especially poor children. With this, they were brining promise of happiness and prosperity for everyone.

Norooz Eid:

This Eid is as greatest and most glorious feast of the Iranians runs from ancient times and it is at the end of winter and is promising the coming of spring and revival of nature.

However, a good convincing reason to celebrate New Year at the beginning of spring in the Achaemenid period cannot be made, but if some alien entries in the court of Iran in the Parthian period remaining reports cited, it may be agreed New Year celebration andNorooz has been held in the beginning of spring [6].

Norooz celebration was customary Among Arasbaran tribe and it is locally called "Norooz Bayrami". "Still in this time, decorate, houses, clean everywhere, wear new clothes, smell of incense, smell of insane, offer flower, candy and drink, pray, says prayers and put seven things in and Khoncheh that their nemesis started with the letter Sin such as wire, apple, measure, vinegar, crushed, Wheat and grass. The number seven which has been sacred since ancient time is referring to the seven Amish Spend onand the greatest Angels Mazdeyasna. No doubt these traditions that has remained from ancient times essentially for the saints Farvahrs and celebrated and the deceased of family came down and stay on the earth for a few days for inspection have been pleased from home and family life and of religion and piety and the discharge of their descendants and wish them health and happiness of God." [7].

Wilson when he lived in Tabriz, in the Gajar era, crown prince or regent resident in Tabriz, reportsthat Norooz ceremony coincided with the celebration on the occasion of New Year, tray, known as Haft Seen were brought to prince court in which variety of fresh fruits were Khoncheh[8].

As well as a variety of fruits and sweets and nuts are put in the table, but in the homes in which one of their relatives died recently, guests are receives with dates and quotes (a simple and white sweets) and the so-called Gara Bayram, the black Feast of these families is commemorated and relatives and neighbors often visit this families before they visit from other places and they ask for forgiveness of God for the person who has died and patience for the survivors.

In NoroozEidthis is a tradition that great of family give a gift to his children, brides and bridegrooms[9],but in the Arasbaran tribe very well customs in Norooz is doing to visit tribe elders and family and then paying and repaying visit other relatives.

On this day, if there is resentment between families and tribes,the elders reconcile those families and individuals and make peace between them[10].

Birth of the Prophet of Islam:

One of the great festivals among the Shiites of the world and Iran as well as Arasbaran tribe (Garadagh) is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. This day has great importance among the tribal population of Arasbaran, in which people try to have their celebrations and weddings and they are happy by giving sweets and congratulating each other.

There are many differences about Prophet's birth day and month in biographical and historical books as well as in traditions narrated from the Imams. Some of them has written to be on Friday, seventeenth of Rabi’ al-awwal, some others on Monday, twelfth, some on eighth and some on tenth of that month, while there are others who stated that the Holy Prophet was born in the month of Safar or Muharram or Ramadan, but they’re not famous. There are also differences in the year of birth in which some claimed to be in 580 and some others 573 of the Gregorian calender. Moreover, many chronicles have reported that the birth of the Prophet was in Am-Alfyl - the year that Abraha with elephants came to Mecca in order to destroy it- now this question comes to mind that which year Am-Alfyl was.

And in any case, the difference still is seen in the histories and traditions and it’s not mentioned any decisive statement, in this regard, Of course Shi’a scholars believe that the Holy Prophet was born on Friday night of seventeenth of Rabi’ al-awwal.

Birth Place:

It seems certain that the Prophet was born in Mecca, but there are some differences in the place of his birth in histories. For example, some believe that the prophet’s birth place home was indeed Muhammad ibn Youssef Saghafi’shome and claimed that this home is the same that later Hazrat Fatimah was born there and became famous as “Fatima’s hometown.”

Historians have written that the house is located near Safa and later Zubaydah, Harun al-Rashid’s wife, bought it and built a mosque in that place[11].

Mab’ath (Prophetic Mission of Prophet Muhammad):

This word is derived from B’ath and its meaning is the sense of excitement after a period of stagnation, inertia, darkness and ignorance. In a neglectful society that sleep of ignorance had found comfort and had lain far from perfection and had been immersed in idolatry and its error, the mission took place. Mission changed realities of the Arab society and rose in rebellion against polytheism, idolatry and oppression.

Dimensions of mission consisted of leading to the only God and creating a monotheistic and human system and annunciating justice system, equity and fairness where ethical aspects of ignorance are removed and old pains and sorrows of human are obviated so that they have the chance of a good life befitting with their nature and achieve ascension and perfection.

The Holy Prophet of Islam like other monotheists of Mecca left that city in order to be far from a polytheistic and immoral and ignorance atmosphere spent some time in tahannoth and isolation and loneliness. The Prophet’s place of worship was in Hara Cave and he used to spend some time there every year[12].

The word "hens" means sin and said that "Tahanos" means avoiding sin and in its positive sense means obedience and devotion to God.This concept in the ignorance, was known for Honafa. In any way,the use of the word Tahanos in worship is permitted and it is contrary to the true meaning of its kind –Sin- used to avoid sin [13].

Mission:

On the twenty-seventh of Rajab, which was corresponding to Iranians (non- Arabs) Norooz, Mohammadibn Abdollah (peace be upon him) appointed as a

Prophet and some have considered is seventeenth of Ramadan, a group the eighteenth of Ramadan and a tribe knew it twenty-fourth of Ramadan a community said that it is on Monday twelveth of Rajab that he has sent to a mission and in this day was born from mother and on this day he passed away.[14]

On the mission of the prophet, famous saying in ImamiShiitesis in the twenty-seventh of Rajab and other famous saying of Muslim is month of Ramadan. Ya'ghobi writes: When the Messenger of Allah was sent to a mission, he had spent forty years of his life and his mission was in the month of Rabi al-awal and as saying, in Ramadan and the months of the Iranian in Sha'ban.[15]

According to HamzehAkrameh, Anasibn Malik and OrvehibnZubeir from Abdullah bin Abbas, the Prophet was sent as a Prophet at the age of forty and excited Messaging revelation descended upon him. In a separate report, Saeed bin Musayyib and Akramah reminded of Abdullah bin Abbas that the Prophet was sent as a Prophet in forty-three years old. Without dispute, his revelation was on Monday. AbuqlabehHarami says " The Forgan was de scented to the Prophet that eighteen night had last of Ramadan. Others say it was the nineteenth of Ramadan[16].

Ali Birthday among Shiites:

Ali ibnAbiTalibwas born on 13 Rajab in thirty-Fill (approx. 600 AD) in the house of the Ka'abeh, of the Fatemeh, daughter of AsaadibnHashim [17].

His blessed life was sixty-three years. He lived ten years before the mission twenty-three years in the presence of the Prophet and thirty years after the death of the Prophet.

Ali's Life was blessed life to Islam, but to humanity.[18]

In the dictionaries, the term "Shiite" means the followers and fan. But in terminology, this word has been applied to the followers and lovers of Ali ibnAbiTalib(peace be upon him( and this household.[19]

This day has been mentioned as a great day in the Arasbaran tribes and they hold most festivals and their own happiness in this day and they will be in joy and congratulate the day get to each other.

Ghadir-khomEid:

The Other festivals which is important between Arasbaran tribes and Shiites and they give special value to this day and congratulate coming this day is Eid Ghadirkhom. However, due to coincide the Ghadir Eid with the New Year, Arasbaran tribes congratulated Ghadir before New Year and Ghadir had higher priorities.

Ghadir literally has several meanings; the pond, small stream, the accumulation of water that floods occur. In Islam religion, Ghadir has a famous meaning that is clear. An event that took place in the tenth year of migration on the eighteenth day of Zial-Hijjeh in a place called Ghadir, near a place called johfeh in Saudi Arabia.[20] Hajj cermoneyended, Muslims learned Hajj Pilgrimage from the Prophet. The Prophet's carvan was heading from Mecca to Medina... . Justice of revelation came down in a spot called "GhadirKhom" and the Prophet of Islam addressed this verse that preach to people what was sent by God to you. And if you don't preach, your mission is not completed, the Lord will keep you from people's evil (Quran, Surah Maideh, verse 67) [21].

Islam Prophet stopped Ghadir and stood in apublic homily and he noted in a long sermon that: "I am leaving among you and put two precious things to you that if you take hold of it, you will never go astray and those two things are God's book (Qura) and my family". Thenhe got Ali ibnAbiTalib's arm and said to the people: whether I don't have guardianship to you more than yourself?

People said: "Yes". Then he said: "Everybody that I am his guardian. Ali also is his enemy and help someone helps him and despised someonewho humiliated him [22].

Over the centuries and eras, Muslims, especially Shiites, celebrated this great day. Public recognition of it was in eighteenth of Thee zial-Hajjehinthe year 352 A.H. that Muizz ordered to celebrate it and they rejoiced due toGhadir and adorned the city as they do in other festivals to revive the Ghadir Eid [23].

In 1410 A.H., on the occasion of the fourteenth century of Ghadir, a magnificent congress was held in London that countinueda few days and its report was published and once again the greatness of Ghadir was exhibited at the international level [24].

Gorban Eid:

In short, today all tribes of the provinces of East Azarbaijan, Ardebil, including El Sevan "shahsevan" andGharadagh tribes are a follower of Islam and Ithna Asharishiite(Twelve Imam).[25]

Something that come together Ghezelbash different tribes at the time of Shah Ismail Safavi and put into force was loving king and the dedication and sacrifice in the sacred purposes that wascomplet with jihad against the infidels and promoted of IthnaAsharishiite religion.

All Islamic festivals, particularyGorban, are the most important among tribes and they say it "Ismail Gorbani". That day, any household according to traditional and religious believs slaughter a sheep and share its meat among the poor [26].

In these days, all the women of the tribe wash their heads and any water used in those days has holiness among tribes and they say it "QurbanSuyo"(water of Gorban)[27].

On this day, they make up a sheep as a sacrifice(Gorbanlig) with henna and other colors and colorful close and hang a shawl from his neck and close a mirror to his forehead and send to future bride's home. The bride's parents give money or other accessories such as socks and so on. To the bringer of sheep as worthy of the dignity and gratuities. If the sheep is not presented to the bride on Gorban, the marriage may be cancelled and it's held.

Half of sha'ban:

The holy days among the Shiites and Arasbaran tribes is the twelve Imam of the Shiites of the Islam Prophet family. This day is as a great festival of Arasbaran tribes as well. In a way that most suit and wedding celebrations are held on this day and they congratulate to each other and rejoice.

Half of Sha'ban is the birthday of Imam Mahdi(peace be upon him). Sha'ban is the eighth month of the A.H.calendar.Hegria year is history that is origin of the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina. They say A.H. "crescent" because each month begins with begins Muharram [29].

Summary, on Thursday, the fifteenth of Sha'ban, in the year 256 A.H. HazratHojjatibn Al-Hasan, Imam Zaman was born. Imam Hojjat is the Twelveth Imam, the son of Imam Hassan Askari, son of Ali and Fatemeh, the daughter of Prophet and mother of Imams [30].Of course, according to some Sunni and Shiite tradition, the birthday of Imam Mahdi is the fifteenth of Sha'ban 255 A.H[31].

Fitr Eid:

Breaking fast is not common in the Arasbaran tribe, less can be found in the so-called cultural class. Previously, the young were playing in the cafes up-close magic night and now people are more engaged in business. Breaking fast foodare typically porridge and meatballs. And at nights in the most houses and mosques, community prayer and Rozehkhani is established [32].

In Islam, decrees and orders, gradually has been learned not once. Such as fast. This worship was obligatory on the Muslims about 17 months after the migration of the Prophet of Islam. That is, in Sha'ban, second yearn of the migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Medina, Ramadan's fast with verse183, Surah 2(Bagareh) was obligatory.

The first day of Shawwal is FitrEid. Fitr literally means breaking fast. FitrEid is the Muslim Eid. It is after Ramadan and finishing fast. This feast are held throughout the Islamic countries, and among other Muslims in the world, with particular religious and secular celebrations of every area.

Fast is due from the first, day of Ramadan (the nineth month of the lunar year), is and taking it to the end of the month is necessary. Of course, to those who are eligible fasting, the first day of Shawwal (the month 10 of the lunar year) is FitrEid. Fitr is one of great Islamic festival for which has commanded such as the Eid prayer [33].

In FitrEid, after Eid prayers was read, it is period of seeing and visiting and elders and(start) it with seeing their Family elders.

One of the most important issue in FitrEid is paying Fitr zakat that is obligatory and usually its amount about 3 kilograms of feed is dominant(ie food that is often feed greater such as wheat, barley, rice, dates, and etc.) or costs [34] are given to those that aren't economically in a good condition.

CONCLUSION:

A collection of religious and ancient issues cause different communities have the same culture and gain dignity and greatness and unity despite the presence of ethnic heterogeneity in history. There are some days that are remembered as holy days since the important events of these nations was happened in these days and the only way to protect them is to repeat them every year, so that even nations coincide their pleasant and good days with these religious and ancient days. In this case, it will become as a part of nations history and identity.

REFERENCES:

1 Razi, H. (2004). Fire celebrations and Mehreghan, Second Edition, Tehran: Behjat, pp. 75-73.

2 Ibid., P 77

3 Hafzzadh, M. (1997). Arasbaran over epic and history, Vol. I, Tabriz: Mahd-e Azadi publications, p. 162

4 Razi, H. (2001). The chronology and ancient Iran celebrations, Tehran: Behjat publications, Page 230

5 Hafiz Zadeh, ibid. P 163.

6 Glerider, suselesseleaicdes les paris, 1965, 33.

7 Razi, H. (2004). Nooroz/ historical records till now, second edition, Tehran: Behjat, p. 179

8 Wilson.SG: Persian life and customs, Lndeditin Edinburgh- London. 1896, p246

9 Mashkour, M. J. (1970), an outlook to the history of Azerbaijan, archeological sites and its demography. Tehran, the National Monuments Council, P. 83.

10 Baiburdi, H. (1962). Arasbaran History, Tehran: P. 69.

11 RasuliMahalati, S. H. (2006). The life of Prophet Muhammad. Tehran, Islamic Culture Publications Office, pp. 52 – 58.

12 Imam Ali (PBUH), Nahj-ulblaghe, trans. Feyz-uleslam A. N., Tehran: Bita, Sermon 234, Part 62, Page 814

13 Jafarian, R. (2010), the political history of Islam SiratRasul Allah (peace be upon him and his progeny), vol. 1, eighth edition, Qom: Dalil Publications, Page 225

14 Lesan-almolkSepeher, M. T. (2001), life of the Prophet, the efforts of Kiyanfar, J. Volume 1, First Edition, Tehran, Asatir, Page 399

15 Ayati, M. I. (1963), the translation of Jacobite history, vol. 2, Tehran, Translation and Publication Board, Page 376

16 Ibn al-Athir, I. D. (2005), al-Kamil fi-Tarikh, trans. Rouhani, S. M. H., Volume 2, Third Edition, Tehran: Asatirpuplication, Page 857

17 Montazralqaym, A. (2008). Leadership history, Qom: Moaref publication, Page 23

18 Mazaheri, H. (2012). The life of fourteen innocents. Tehran, cultural deputy of Islamic Azad University, Page 34
19. Khvajvavyian, M. K. (1997). The history of Shi'ism, Mashhad: SID.

20 Neyshabouri, A. (2000), Ghadir: Eid of prayer and love, Qom, Dalil publications, Page 21

21 Sobhani, J. (BiTa), eternity, Volume II, Qom, Islamic knowledge dissemination, Page 471

22 Quaidan, A. (2009), the history of Islam from BC to 41 AD, Tehran: PNU, p. 121.

23 Neyshabouri, ibid., P 31.

24 Ansari, M. B. (2006), the fourteenth century with Ghadir, Qom, Dalil publications, 227

26 Esmaeelpour, J. (1998), the Nomadic Azerbaijan and Magi, Tabriz, p. 259; Mashkour, ibid., P. 183

27 Hafiz Zadeh, ibid., P 275

28 Ibid., P 275

29 Hakimi, M. (2004), the mission, GhadirAshura, M, Qom, Dalilpuplication, pp. 143-142

30 Ibid., P. 143

31 Ashuri, E. (2007), Bqyh-Allh, Qom: Darulfekr Publications, Page 21

32 Baiburdi, ibid., P. 72

33 Hakimi, ibid., P 152

34 Ibid., P 153

Received on 16.08.2016

Modified on 08.09.2016

Accepted on 20.10.2016

Research J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 8(1): January - March, 2017, 37-42.

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2017.00006.7