Journal Article

Modesty, Virtue, and Power in Pahlavani Martial Arts and the Zurkhanehs of the Qajar Era (with Emphasis on the Structure, Arrangement and Decorations of Tehran Zurkhanehs)

Khazaee, Rezvan, Hajiani, Fatemeh, Dargi, Farzaneh, Shayestehfar, Mahnaz

2023

Overview

Background. Pahlavani and Zurkhaneh rituals have existed in Iran since the Parthian Empire. This martial art continued in the Islamic period and flourished due to cultural and social settings. A study on the evolution of this art specifies its prospering during the Qajar period as the Zurkhaneh became a common site in the urban context. Pahlavani martial arts play a significant role in depicting heroic behaviors and valiant tutoring and highlight unique architectural features and place emphasis on various cultural venues embedded within signs and symbols.Problem and Aim. The aim of this study is to portray what moral and cultural principles are applied to the structure and arrangement of the Zurkhanehs of the Qajar period. It also attempts to study the cultural and moral position of the Zurkhaneh within Iranian society. Recognition of the symbols and signs of this Pahlavani martial art can therefore acquaint us with the evolutionary process of the foundation of such institutions, and their cultural role, by analyzing concepts such as modesty, virtue and Futuwwa in the structure of the Zurkhanehs of Iran during the Qajar era. Methods. The present study investigates the issue under study via a descriptive-analytic methodology based on library resources and field observations.Conclusion. The findings of the research show that concepts of modesty, virtue, and Futuwwa are perceived in the Qajar Zurkhanehs of Tehran specifically in the way of entering and in the positioning of the Morshed and heroes.

• Publisher: Idokan Poland Association
• Subject: Cultural change / Heroism & heroes / Islam / Martial arts / Modesty / Morality / Positioning / Rituals / Social environment / Social institutions / Symbol recognition / Symbols / Tutoring