Mazandaran: the hidden gem of Iran

Mazandaran is a historical region in Iran which is located next to the Caspian Sea. This region has a long and rich history that goes back to the Achaemenid Empire. Mazandaran was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC and later became a part of the Ashkan Empire. In the 7th century AD, Mazandaran was captured by the Arabs and became a part of the Islamic world.

Local costumes
The local costumes of Mazandaran are a combination of Persian and Turkish influences. Men usually wear long tunics called khalat, which are made of cotton or wool. They also wear skinny pants called shalwar and weave a long scarf called pushal. Women usually wear long dresses called chadorshad made of cotton or silk. They also wear a hijab, which covers their hair and face.

Mazandaran dance

Lezgi
Lezgi is a fast and energetic dance that is often performed in weddings and other celebrations. The dance is characterized by fast foot movement and complex hand movements.

Tawi
Tawi is a quieter and more pleasant dance that is often performed at festivals and other cultural events. The dance is characterized by its soft movements and delicate postures.

General history
Mazandaran has a long and rich history. It was occupied by the Medes in the 7th century BC. It was conquered by the Persians in the 6th century BC. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. It was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century AD. It was conquered by the Mongols in the 13th century AD. It was conquered by the Safavids in the 16th century AD. In the 18th century, it was conquered by the Qajars. It was conquered by the Pahlavis in the 20th century. In 1979, the Islamic revolution overthrew the Pahlavis and established the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Natural attractions and landscapes
Mazandaran has many attractions and natural landscapes. Some of the most popular tourist destinations are:

Aam : Aam is a city located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. It is known for its historical attractions, such as Aam Castle and Aam Bridge.

Gorgan: Gorgan is a city located in the north of Mazandaran. It is known for its natural beauty, such as Gorgan beach and Gorgan forest.

Sari : Sari is the capital of Mazandaran. It is known for its historical attractions, such as Sari Grand Mosque and Sari Bazaar.

Tankabon : Tankabon is a city located in the south of Mazandaran. It is known for its natural landscapes, such as hot springs and its beautiful scenery.

Music and styles

Mazandaran music  is a combination of Persian and Turkish influences. Mazandaran traditional instruments include tar, santoor and def. The lyrics  of new traditional songs  often deal with topics such as love, nature and everyday life.

Mazandaran styles are a combination of Persian and Turkish influences. The traditional dress of Mazandaran includes long tunics, skinny pants and long scarves. Women usually wear long clothes called chadorshad made of cotton or silk and wear a hijab called hijab on their head which covers their hair and face.Mazandaran has been ruled by different dynasties such as Safavids, Qajars and Pahlavis for many centuries. In the 1357 Iranian Revolution, Mazandaran became a part of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This area is home to various ethnic groups including Mazandarans, Gilkis, Kurds and Azeris. Mazandaran is also host to different religions such as Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism.

This area is famous for its beautiful scenery including mountains, forests and beaches. Mazandaran also has many historical places including the ruins of the ancient city of Gorgan.

In the following, we mention some of the most important events in the history of Mazandaran:

6th century BC: Mazandaran was conquered by Alexander the Great.
4th century BC: Mazandaran became a part of the Ashkan Empire.
7th century AD: Mazandaran was conquered by the Arabs.
16th century: Mazandaran became part of the Safavid Empire.
18th century: Mazandaran became part of the Qajar Empire.
20th century: Mazandaran became part of the Pahlavi Empire.
1358: Mazandaran became a part of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mazandaran is a beautiful and historical region with rich culture and heritage. This region has a diverse population and different religions. Mazandaran is also known for its beautiful scenery and historical places.

Mazandarans also have a number of special instruments that  are used in their music  One of the most popular instruments is the tar, a stringed instrument similar to the lute. Tar is used to play all kinds of music including local songs, classical music and popular music.

Another popular instrument of the dulcimer is the hammered dulcimer. Centaur is used to play all kinds of music including local songs, classical music and popular music.

Mazandarans also have special dances. One of the most popular dances is Lezgi, a fast and energetic dance that is often performed at weddings and other celebrations.

Another popular dance is Tawi, a quieter and more beautiful dance that is often performed at festivals and other cultural events.

Mazandaran culture is a rich and lively culture, full of unique customs, instruments and dances. If you have a chance to experience Mazandaran culture, I highly recommend it.

Customs and Traditions:
Hat removal: It is a ceremony that exists in the marriage ceremony and its purpose is to determine the identity of the groom. In this custom, they identify the bride and ask the groom questions about her identity. If he answers correctly, he receives the bride.

Tradition of the end of summer : At the end of the summer season, the people of Mazandaran bid farewell to the summer and welcome the autumn season with a ceremony called "Molovdakhani". In this ceremony, people gather together and sing songs and ghazals.

salt pan: In Mazandaran, there are traditional salt pans that are used to produce salt. These salt pans are made in the form of separate walls and sea salt is poured into them to separate the water from it and obtain salt.

Instruments:
Tar
Tar is a stringed instrument similar to oud. It is made of wood and has six wires. Tar is played with songs and it is used to play all kinds of music including local songs, classical music and popular music.

Centaur
is a hammered centaur. It is made of wood and has a trapezoidal shape. The centaur has 72 strings and is played with two mallets.  Centaur is used to play all kinds of music including local songs, classical music and  happy songs .