Zurkaneh

Zurkaneh (Persian: زورخانه "Zurkhāneh", translation: "power house") is a place in Iran where people go to practise an ancient sport called Varzesh-e Bastani (translation: "traditional sport"). Special dress is worn that consists of short knee length trousers.

The house has strict rules dictating that the elder, more experienced practitioners have high status and the younger members have to show respect by not coming to the centre of the practise area.

The area in which the exercise is done is usually an octagonal or circular ring in which a number of power-building, strenuous exercises are performed. The exercises are accompanied by a drum beat, and sometimes by a singing.

As the exercises have their origins in an ancient sport designed to help practitioners train for war, exercises include swinging large wooden clubs around (which builds strength for manipulating swords), wrestling, and holding up large shield-shaped objects.

An iconic national sport along with wrestling, it is now declining in popularity among the younger generations.