Pir Shalyar

The festival of Pir Shalyar (also spelled as "Shaliyar") is an old traditional ceremony in Kurdistan. It is held in the 40th day of winter. The celebration is held in three stages, each in a day of three consecutive weeks.

Pir Shaliyar

"Pir (saint/magi) Shaliyar" (vezier), is believed to have cured a princess and married her, the ceremony marks their marriage. Pir is the the highest rank in Mithraism and Zoroastrianism. His tomb is located in Kurdistan province of Iran

Celebration

In the first week children inform the people coming of the ceremony with distribution of walnuts to every home.

In the second week, at the Wednesday night before sunrise, children going up to the roof of homes, sing the traditional Kurdish songs. shortly after sunrise cows and sheep are sacrified. at the evening they play Daf and pray repeating spiritual hymns.

In the third Friday of the month Rebendan (second month of winter in Kurdish calendar), golden breads made of wheat and walnut in the shape of sun (disc) are brought to the tomb of Pir, there is distributed among participants and eaten.

External links

* [http://www.chnphoto.ir/gallery.php?&gallery_uid=&lang=en&gallery_uid=318 Some views from the festival of Pir Shalyar in Kurdistan]