Pir Shalyar Ceremony in Kurdistan

Iran is a civilized and time-honored country where diverse ethnic groups bearing profound histories live all around the region. Each of these ethnic groups carries out their own festivals and ceremonies, most of which are derived from the culture and beliefs of their ancestors. Among the people of Iran, the residents of Kurdistan Province still adhere to these traditional festivals. By holding the ceremonies that have been cherished since ancient times, they have kept their authenticity, strengthened their traditions, and kept them alive.

Kurdish ethnic groups hold their native and traditional ceremonies by wearing colorful local clothes, playing conventional and cheerful Kurdish music, performing coordinated dance group movements, and playing local games. That is why the people of this region are very lively and happy. One of the famous ceremonies of the Kurdish people is the Pir Shalyar Ceremony, which shouldn’t be missed when visiting Kurdistan in Iran.

What Is PIR Festival?

The cultural and historical Kurdish festival of Pir Shaliar is a traditional and mystical religious ceremony of the Kurds. The Pir Shalyar ceremony is held twice a year for three days.

Once in the second week of February (Bahman Month in Persian Month) and the other in mid-spring in the city of Uraman Takht. Uraman Takht is a city in the capital of Uraman District of Sarvabad County in Kurdistan province, next to the old house and tomb attributed to Pir Shalyar.

The nearby villages also participate in this social event. The ceremony is rooted in myths, beliefs, and ancient rituals of the people. It is in fact, the wedding anniversary of a legendary old man named Pir Shalyar.

Pir Shalyar Photos

The Pir Shalyar celebration has become the symbol of the Uraman region. The host and organizers of the festival are from different clans of Uraman Takht village and surrounding villages, who have divided the affairs of this ceremony among themselves according to an unwritten law. During this time of the year, the locals withdraw from all their daily work and devote all their time to celebrating this ancient wedding anniversary festival.

How Is Pir Shalyar Celebrated?

On the evening of the first week of Bahman Month in the Persian calendar (Tuesday), the organizer of the festival with the help of the children of Uraman distributes fresh walnuts picked from the trees grown in the region among the families of Uraman village and the surrounding villages. This ceremony is very special for the children, and they start their distribution from the village of Sarpir and visit each house carrying bags full of walnuts. In return, every household gifts them by placing snacks such as biscuits, nuts, and sweets inside the children’s bags so that they can return home happily.

In the meantime, the preparation of the traditional Pir Shalyar dish and the preparation of the livestock are part of the celebration agenda. The festival of Pir Shalyar has several stages each performed in a day.

The food of the ceremony is Aush-e Jo (Thick Barley Soup) or “Holoshine Teshi” in Kurdish. This is the same food that was cooked 950 years ago in the festival of Pir Shalyar. Once everyone has eaten their meals, the performers walk back to their homes. They take the leftover food to their homes so that other family members can eat it as a blessing.

Pir Shalyar Festival Preparations

Before the festival starts, the people of Uraman Village or other villages who need a blessing, give part of their livestock to the host of the festival at the end of the autumn. The host then takes care of the animals until the day of the Pir Shalyar ceremony.

Pir Shalyar Festival

On Wednesday morning of the ceremony, around 9 o’clock, a large number of animals are sacrificed in front of the residents of Pir Shalyar Urami, and most of the beef is distributed among the villagers. The house and tomb of Pir Shalyar, which is located at the end of the paved road of Uraman, is a simple, square, brick building with a blue dome, which is the symbol of the tomb of this old mystic of Kurdistan.

The beef is also used to cook an old dish called Aush Torsh, which is cooked in Pir Shalyar’s house. Villagers believe that eating this soup on the day of celebration will bring blessings to their families. After the evening prayer at 4 p.m. in the mosque, the food is distributed among the villagers and the guests.

The Start of Pir Shalyar Festival

At 3 o’clock, the citizens of Uraman Takht bring their tambourines for the ceremony. The young, middle-aged men and the old wear traditional Kurdish clothing and clasp their hands together to show their solidarity and kinship. With their hands locked, the Kurds perform a unique traditional dance as well as a kind of mystical dance known as Sama, which is regarded sacred by them.

Some play instruments and some sing odes or recite poems in praise of the Prophet of Islam and God. A group sings and the big dance group whispers the word “Allah”.

A group of Daf players (Persian frame drum) play the Daf with great enthusiasm. The meeting of the men’s hands and the sound of the Daf instrument being hit simultaneously truly doubles the spiritual atmosphere of the celebration. The Festival of Pir Shalyar is also known as the ceremony of breaking stones.

During sunset on Thursday by the end of the Kurdish dance and Sama, the people walk to the house of Pir Shalyar and recite sacred chants, prayers, and poems about him. A speech about Pir Shalyar and religious and mystical discussions are also part of the meeting ceremony. Finally, the festival ends with a prayer.

Uraman Takht – The Hidden Gem of Kurdistan Province

What stands out more than anything else in this ceremony is the presence of numerous photographers and tourists from different cities in Iran, as well as foreign guests and journalists. Uraman has been inscribed in the list of national monuments of Iran due to its old customs, terraced houses, and it’s distinct beauty.

Pir Shalyar Ceremony in Uraman Takht

It welcomes many tourists throughout the year. Uraman Takht has turned it into a tourist entertainment space. This region has become a tourist hub, and a place for all kinds of visitors, especially during the celebration of Pir Shalyar.

The Story of the Pir Shalyar Festival

Every year, with the start of the second half of winter, the Pir Shalyar ceremony is held in Uraman Takht for three days. The ceremony is rooted in the historical legends of the region and it is based on the story of the healing of “Shah Bahar Khatun”, the daughter of Shah Bukhara.

It is claimed that “Shah Bahar Khatun” was deaf and mute and all doctors were unable to treat her until the name of “Pir Shalyar Urami” reached Bukhara. Based on the beliefs of the people of Uraman, Pir Shalyar was a Muslim and a descendant of Imam Jafar Sadiq and his real name was Seyyed Mustafa Arizi.

The king of Bukhara had stipulated that whoever heals his daughter, may wed her. Finally, the king’s uncle and a group of the king’s entourages set off towards the city of Uraman in Iran to take Shah Bahar Khatun to the famous Pir Shalyar.

When the group reached the village of “Uraman Takht”, the girl’s ears were immediately healed and she was able to hear all sounds around her. Once they arrive at the house of “Pir Shalyar”, the scream of a demon attracts the group’s attention. The demon quickly falls onto the ground from a giant whirlwind which is what the locals call “Dust Devil” and dies.

Suddenly, Shah Bahar Khatoon burst out with words and started to speak. The king having promised to wed his daughter to whomever treats her ailments, bonds the girl with Pir Shalyar Urami, and the people organize a big wedding party for Pir Shalyar and Bahar Khatun. According to the locals of Kurdistan, the ceremony held today is the anniversary of that blissful day.

The Symbolism and Motif of Pir Shalyar Ceremony

The symbols and rituals of the ceremony are also a way to get rid of worldly attachments and step on the path of inner cleansing and salvation. In fact, this ceremony not only connects believers with a common faith but also connects people with God.

Pir Shalyar Ceremony

Final Word

According to historians, the Pir Shalyar ceremony, which is one of the renowned traditions of the Kurdish people, has a history of more than a thousand years rooted in ancient Iranian beliefs and myths. This festival is held twice in the Uraman region in winter and spring for 3 days every year and the people of Uraman have great respect for Pir Shalyar and consider this ceremony a holy blessing. By celebrating this tradition, the Kurds of Uraman Takht show the world their strong bond and affinity and how they have preserved their historical traditions and rituals for centuries.