The "Sadeh" celebration is the largest celebration
of fire and one of the oldest rituals known in ancient Persia. It is a
festivity to honor fire and to defeat the forces of darkness, frost and cold.
Until the Arab invasion of Iran in the seventh century, most Iranians in the
powerful Persian Empire were Zoroastrians, who celebrated the feast at the
start of the 30th January. The festival is held as a gathering of a
city’s dwellers where a big fire is set. The observers help each other gather
firewood, making the festival a celebration for cooperation and empathy between
people. Today, the fires
are not lit outside and all activities take place inside the shrines. The wood
gathering activities are reduced though there are efforts to preserve them.
However the bulk of the Iranians are becoming more familiar with the occasion. Current Zoroastrians
recites various songs and hymns along with flames according to their language
and culture. Also, in
some areas, they also perform celebrations, games and group shows. Nowadays,
the festivities of Sade is held sporadically in some cities and villages of
Mazandaran, Lorestan, Sistan and Baloochestan, But in the most cities of Kerman
and Yazd provinces, it is celebrated with magnificent glory.
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| "Sadeh" Celebration |
