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Trick or Treat Tehran Style

If you didn't quite get enough of Halloween, and if all the candy the kids collected runs out too quickly, there's another cultural festival that resembles the North American Halloween. It's the Iranian Chahar Shanbe Soori.

One tradition of the event is Ghashogh-Zani, which is the Iranian version of trick or treating. Traditionally, Iranians believed the living were visited by the spirits of their ancestors on the last day of the year. Some people, especially children, wrap themselves in shrouds with sheets, an Iranian version of the ghost costumes North American kids enjoy. By the light of a bonfire, the kids run through the streets banging on pots and pans with spoons in order to beat out the last unlucky Wednesday of the year, while they knock on doors to ask for treats.

Chahar Shanbe Soori falls on the last Wednesday before the New Year (March 20th- 21st). This ancient Iranian festival dates at least back to 1700 BC, when Iran's main religion was Zoroastrian. After all these years, still Iranian people celebrate this night, in a different way than it used to be and as a secular event.

At this night usually relatives get together, in private parties or a picnic out in parks. They light bonfires in the streets or private yards and people leap over the flames, shouting: Sorkhi-e to az man, Zardi-e man az to. That translates to, "Give me your beautiful red color (health), and take back my paleness (pain)!" The reason is that fire in our ancient culture has been always a symbol of pureness and health.

While kids and some adults are outside, jumping over the fires, others stay at home enjoying their own parties. Serving different kinds of pastry and nuts known as Ajile Moshkel Gosha is another tradition at this night. (Ajil means nuts, and moshgel goshan means something that can solve problems, because usually when people eat nuts, they talk about their problems and it is a good chance to get others' ideas and guidance.)

There was one more tradition on this night that is no longer common. In Falgoosh, young girls stand at a dark corner and listen to the conversation of people passing by. The girls listen for clues to their future, especially love interests. Chahar-shanbe soori is very dear for Iranians; it is always a good time to see relatives and friends. We never miss it, even in North American cities like Vancouver, we gather each year to celebrate again. For more information, please see www.cais-soas.com.