Martial Arts
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Zurkhaneh |
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Zurkhaneh Sports and Koshti Pahlavani, Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei Rituals |
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Member Organization(s) |
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Introduction |
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Pahlavani is an Iranian martial art that combines elements of Islam, Gnosticism, and ancient Persian beliefs. It describes a ritual collection of gymnastic and callisthenic movements performed by ten to twenty men, each wielding instruments symbolizing ancient weapons. The ritual takes place in a Zurkhaneh(meaning “House of Strength”), a sacred domed structure with an octagonal sunken arena and audience seats. The Morshed(master) who leads the Pahlavani ritual, performs epic and Gnostic poems and beats out time on a Zarb goblet drum. The poems he recites transmit ethical and social teachings and constitute part of Zurkhaneh literature. Participants in the Pahlavani ritual may be drawn from any social strata or religious background, and each group has strong ties to its local community, working to assist those in need. During training, students are instructed in ethical and chivalrous values under the supervision of a Pīshkesvat(champion). Those who master the individual skills and arts, observe religious principles and pass ethical and moral stages of Gnosticism may acquire the prominent rank of Pahlevanī(hero), denoting rank and authority within the community. At present, there are about 500 Zurkhanehs across Iran, each comprising practitioners, founders, and a number of Pīshkesvats. |
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History |
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The original purpose of these institutions was to train men as warriors and instill them with a sense of national pride in anticipation of the coming battles. The Mithrāic design and rituals of these academies bear testament to its Parthian origin (132 BC - 226 AD). When the Arabs invaded Persia around 637, the zurkhānehs(training places) served as secret meeting places where knights would train and keep alive a spirit of solidarity and patriotism. Following the spread of Shia Islam, and particularly after the development of Sufism in the 8th century, varzesh-e pahlavani absorbed philosophical and spiritual components from it. Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the tradition lost some of its popularity as the new regime discouraged anything tied to pre-Islamic paganism, which included the Gnostic and Mithraic chants and rituals of the zurkhāneh. This did not last, however, as the Islamic Republic eventually promoted varzesh-e bastani as a symbol of Iranian pride and culture. The sport is still being practiced. International Zurkhaneh Sports Federation (IZSF) spreads the knowledge of Zurkhaneh. IZSF publishes the rules and broadcasts recent events. Apart from frequent training and unofficial games, the official competition(World championships, Europe championships, Asia championships, World Cup) organized by the federation, is being held every few months. Apart from the aforementioned competitions, there are also held for senior, junior or disabled contestants. The Pahlavani and Zurkhaneh Rituals registered as a cultural heritage of UNESCO in 2010. |
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References |
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International Zurkhaneh Sports & Koshti Pahlavani Federation (2019). WoMAU membership application form. “Pahlevani and Zoorkhanei Rituals”. UNESCO ICH. “Zurkhaneh or Pahlevani (Iran)”. Traditional Sports. |
