“Wandering” on the day of Tasua – Siri in Iran

“Persezni” is the name of a ritual in Ardakan city that is performed on the day of Tasua. The mourning group goes to the doors of the houses in each neighborhood and sings the mourning songs for each house asking for forgiveness and forgiveness and collects people’s offerings.

Mustafa Sepehari – the head of Ardakan city’s cultural heritage, tourism and crafts department – said about this ritual: In Ardakan, Ashura and Tasu’a were famous for killing and wandering, and Tasu’a day is called “Parseh day”. Therefore, the ceremony held on the day of Tasu’a is called “Persezani”. In the morning of Tasu’a, some people in each neighborhood take flags, cymbals, and drums and go to the doors of the houses by singing poems.

He added: The residents of the neighborhood also give their offerings to them, and by giving offerings, the cost of mourning is covered. Also, if someone from the neighborhood’s family has died, they go to his house and take salt, which is called “boiling” in the local term.

Sepehri stated that this ceremony is held every year on the day of Tasua with changes, and continued: Today, most of the children along with some adults move in the streets by playing drums and singing mourning songs. People’s offerings and donations are collected for the Ashura day ceremony.

The head of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Ardakan city stated: In the past, in Ardakan city, on the day of Tasua, mourning was less than in the morning. But it has been several years since the ceremony of breast-making and chain-making has been held in the morning. This issue has made the tradition of wandering less. To preserve this traditional ritual, we have prepared its registration file, which will soon be registered in the country’s intangible heritage list.