Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Science, University of Yazd, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
Minority groups are trying to define their group boundaries to maintain their identity. Time and calendar are the main means for building the identity of groups. Iranian Zoroastrians, who are the heirs of ancient Iranian religion and culture, construct their identity. Therefore, I want to understand the reconstruction of Zoroastrians' identity in contemporary Iran, emphasizing the calendar. For this purpose, I focused on multi-sited ethnographic methods and documentary studies. Going back and forth between the field's findings and the anthropology theories determined that the reconstruction of identity boundaries accompanied the redefinition of their cultural elements such as ethical values and customs. According to the findings, Zoroastrians try to maintain their group boundaries by focusing on chronology and highlighting religious occasions. Also, by focusing on the Mehrgan, Sede, and Tirgan festivals, they link their identity to Iran and thus establish their link with Iranian national identity.
Introduction
Since time is a fundamental concept for humans, they've developed clocks and calendars to keep track of it. Calendars play a vital role in connecting the past, present, and future. Additionally, assigning specific ceremonies to days or months allows calendars to serve as a tool for preserving national or group identity. Throughout history, this has led to political leaders manipulating calendars to align with their agendas. However, cultural groups often strive to maintain their own calendars.
This phenomenon is evident in Iran's recent history. During the Pahlavi era, the official calendar underwent several changes. First, the lunar Hijri calendar was replaced with a solar Hijri one, with Arabic month names swapped for Iranian ones. Later, under Pahlavi II, the calendar briefly reflected the ideology of antiquarian nationalism. Following the Islamic Revolution, the official calendar shifted to reflect Islamic values, aligning with the new national identity being constructed. Notably, religious minority groups, like the Zoroastrians, often maintain their calendars to manage their religious practices and rituals.
In essence, calendars act as tools for emphasizing group identity through the recording of important occasions. Recognizing the significance of calendars in defining group boundaries, this study aims to explore how the Zoroastrian calendar plays a role in reshaping the group identity of Zoroastrians, who consider themselves custodians of ancient Iranian heritage.
Research Question(s)
In this research, I want to answer two questions what are the Time policies of Zoroastrians against the official discourse? What do Zoroastrians use signs and symbols to redefine the insider group against the official discourse?
Literature Review
To analyze this topic, I examined research on religious minorities worldwide, with a particular focus on studies conducted in Iran. Bekerman analyzed the experiences of minority groups and their strategies for preserving identity in the face of government policies. Sa'ad Salloum (2013) studied Iraqi minorities, concluding that understanding them requires attention to their historical and collective memory. Baussant (2013) investigated Jewish identity reconstruction, focusing on literary works, autobiographies, and historical figures.
Research on Iranian minority groups can be divided into two main categories. The first group, including Sansarian (2000) and Amant (2011), analyzed how minority groups reconstruct their identities in opposition to government policies. The second group focused on internal changes within minority groups.
Methodology
I conducted ethnographic research on Zoroastrian communities starting in 2016. This involved observing their ceremonies and conducting interviews. Initially, I planned to interview a Zoroastrian friend, but when my role shifted to a researcher, they became uncomfortable participating. As a result, I began exploring Zoroastrian neighborhoods to find other individuals willing to be interviewed.
Results
The Zoroastrian calendar has served as a system for measuring time and organizing religious life. Under the Sassanid dynasty, Ardeshir and Tansar implemented reforms to strengthen the government, including calendar changes. Two major reforms occurred during this period, with the second focusing on religious aspects. The calendar continued to evolve after the arrival of Islam in Iran. Influenced by Indian seasonal calendars, Ki Khosrau sought to align Zoroastrian calculations with a new national calendar. He convinced Zoroastrian leaders in Yazd and Kerman, and in 1317, the seasonal chronology, known as the "ancient calendar," was adopted by Zoroastrians in Iran. Zoroastrians outside of Iran have also proposed calendar changes. Foreign scholars, concerned about the discrepancy between the official calendar and the Zoroastrian one, suggested modifications. Mobad proposed using the Jalali chronology as a more accurate system, but this change was not accepted. The Zoroastrian calendar plays a crucial role in reconstructing Zoroastrian identity. It serves as a reminder of religious ceremonies, including prayer times, dietary restrictions, and festival dates. The calendar also helps to preserve Zoroastrian cultural traditions, such as the emphasis on celebration and joy. Certain festivals, like Sede, Tirgan, Gahanbar Panji, and Mehrgan, are particularly important as they connect Zoroastrians to their Iranian national identity.
Conclusion
Those in power have historically sought to control time. Calendars, as tools for measuring time, offer a means to exert this control. By manipulating the emphasis on national and religious occasions, those in power can shape the way time is experienced. The Zoroastrian chronology serves as a reminder of religious beliefs and practices. It outlines specific times for prayer, dietary restrictions, and festivals. These reminders contribute to the formation of an ideal Zoroastrian identity, which is reflected in daily life, speech, and behavior. Beyond religious ceremonies, the chronology emphasizes festivals and celebrations. This focus on joy and national occasions creates another aspect of Zoroastrian identity. The chronology suggests that an ideal Zoroastrian should not mourn but celebrate even death. The chronology also highlights the importance of Iran and its national identity. Festivals like Tirgan, Mehrgan, and Sedeh emphasize the preservation of Iranian culture, which provides Zoroastrians with a sense of security and strength.
Acknowledgments
I am deeply thankful to the Zoroastrian communities in Yazd and Tehran for welcoming me and providing insightful answers to my inquiries. Their generosity has been invaluable in my exploration of Zoroastrian identity.
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