The Middle Eastern country of Iran is one of those places that few westerners know much about beyond the talking points of network news pundits. Iran is a beautiful country with a rich history that dates back millennia. Renowned for its art, literature, and architecture, it is a culture often misunderstood by outsiders.
The formal name of the country is Jomhuri-ye Islami-ye Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran, but for centuries before the Islamic Revolution of 1979, we knew it as Persia. Many Americans of Iranian decent prefer to call themselves Persians as a way to identify with the culture, but not the country itself.
The native language of the country is Persian, though it is often inaccurately called “Farsi.” This is similar to saying that Germans speak Duetsch instead of German.
The official religion of the Iranian state is Shi’a Islam, though Sufi mysticism is also widely practiced.
Though no accurate measurement of the population exists after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, estimates indicate that about 75 percent of the country’s population is under the age of 30. The family structure in Iranian culture often seems oppressive and old fashioned to many westerners, but a closer look illustrates that this isn’t the case.
In Iran, the woman takes charge in match making, and she must “clear the path” for the marriage by letting the women in the other family know that a marriage proposal would be welcomed or is imminent.
Each woman must then confer with her husband who makes, or accepts, the formal proposal at a social gathering with both families.
This is essential because once married the families will literally become one family, and as such, be subjected to the hospitality rules and obligations, which are considered a sacred duty in Iran. It is common for members of the same extended family to marry, as it is often seen as a way to ensure compatibility with the family members. In Iran, it is not unusual to see several generations of families living together in one compound.
The hospitality rules of a family guarantee that every member of the family is welcomed at the home of any other family member. Programs like Social Security are non-existent in Iran because the family considers it their duty to care for their own.
Children are doted on and indulged, in Iran, and not just by family members. As they grow older however, discipline is often strict and boys are taught early that it is their responsibility to protect the women in the family as well as the family honor. Therefore, when a young boy berates his mother for some infraction, it is socially acceptable.
The media hype about the roles of women in Middle Eastern culture doesn’t always provide an accurate description of the important roles these women have within their families. As long as the work does not require the women to deviate from the dress code laws, they work in nearly every profession.
Under Iranian law, women may not go out in public or be in the company of a member of the opposite sex who is not her husband without wearing the traditional chador. This is a long, semi- circular shaped garment that is wrapped around the head and body and gathered under the chin.
Women may wear whatever fashionable clothes they like under the chador, which they can show to their husbands and female friends.
A woman’s hair is considered erotic in Iran, so all of the hair must be covered at all times. Iranian police can even arrest a woman for something as simple as her hair showing or wearing makeup, as it is considered indecent.
Often the dress code appears oppressive, however it is important to know note that women voluntarily adopted these rules for centuries before they became law, and even if the laws were changed, it is likely that most would still observe the dress code.
Public displays of affection or touching of any kind is not allowed between members of the opposite sex, however Iranian people are often quite affectionate toward members of the same sex. Hand holding and kissing is common and not looked at as homosexual between members of the same sex. A western man who offers to shake a woman’s hand for instance will see her struggle with her desire to be polite and friendly, a hallmark of the Iranian culture of hospitality, and not break the law.
The solution for many is to cover the hand with part of the chador before shaking hands.
The role of men in the family is as the protectors of the family honor and of the women. Much of the restrictive laws and dress are for the protection of women from the perceived worldly weaknesses of men. In Iran, the system of ta’arof or “meeting together,” is the glue of the country’s social fabric. These are the rules governing how all Iranians conduct their social lives.
Iranians, a very humble people, will often praise others while talking themselves down. When receiving guests in their home, they believe the guest honored them by making the sacrifice to visit them. A custom for guests visiting someone else’s home includes bringing a gift, usually flowers, to honor the host for the invitation. While at the home, guests must use caution when praising the possessions of another, because it is a custom for the host to offer it as a gift immediately. The exception to this rule is praising children because the parents often see the praise of children as envy, thus they will fear for the child’s safety. The appropriate way to praise a child is to say ma sha’ Allah, which means, “what god wills.”
When eating it is considered the best of manners to offer some of what is about to be eaten to everyone nearby and even small children follow this custom. It is polite to refuse the offer, but the person offering will be insistent if the slightest bit of interest is shown.
Downcast eyes indicate a sign of respect in Iran, as if a person is not worthy to look at the person speaking to them. For men, this is also an issue of safety. Looking directly at a woman is a sign of interest, which causes problems for the man because it is a sign of affection to look into the eyes of a friend or relative.
Iran has a rich artistic culture, and much of the look of the cities reveals its unique architecture.
Iranians value the outdoors and because of this, each traditional home usually includes a garden, courtyard, and fountain. Iranian homes differ from those in the U.S., with the exception of the kitchen and bathroom.
All other rooms in a home are multi-purpose, and it is customary for the family to spread a cloth on the floor to eat. When the meal is over, they place pads on the floor in the same room for sleeping. Entire families sleep in the same room.
Iranians place great importance on poetry and literature, and there is great reverence for poets like Firdawsī and Hāfez as well as other gifted authors, both male and female, in Iran.
Some of the world’s greatest graphic arts also come from Iran, including miniature paintings that depict a number of scenes from people to animals to abstract and geometric shapes.
A look into the rich history of carpet making in Iran shows how each carpet is a work of art. And carpets rank as the country’s number two export, after oil. The best carpets are hand knotted with hundreds of knots per square inch. They take years to complete and are considered an investment, both in Iran and in the western world because they are so well made that they are often handed down from one generation to the next.
On the surface, Iran may seem like a country stuck in the dark ages, but on further examination, we find an open, hospitable people with a rich culture of art, literature, and family. As the people in Iran say, Khoda Hafez, or farewell.
Sources:
http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Iran.html
http://www.irpedia.com/iran/history/
http://www.irpedia.com/iran/culture/
http://www.irpedia.com/iran/nature/