Sadeh Feast

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Lesson Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Iran Series at PersianPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Iranian holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 8, Sadeh Feast. In Persian, it’s called Jashne Sadeh.

Apart from the Fire Festival, there is another celebration related to fire in Iran known as the Sadeh Feast. During this celebration, which is closely associated with Zoroastrians, a grand fire that gathers large groups of people is built.

In this lesson, we will learn about the story of King Hooshang and how he cast out snakes, or maar, using fire. We will also discover why the number 100 is of paramount importance to this date.

Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-

What is Aatashkadeh and why was it established?

If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening.

Bahman 10th in the Iranian calendar, which lands on January 29 of the Gregorian calendar, is called Sadeh Feast, or Jashn-e Sadeh in Persian. According to legend, King Hooshang once went to a mountain, or kooh, with 100 of his companions. There, he encountered a great snake, which he threw a big stone at in an attempt to save his own life. Rather than hitting the snake, the stone struck another stone, causing a spark, or jaraghe and lighting a fire that sent the sacred snake slithering away. King Hooshang was overjoyed with the result and celebrated his success with his companions. Today, Sadeh Feast is reserved as a day to celebrate the power, greatness and glory of fire as demonstrated by King Hooshang’s tale.

The name of this feast, "Sadeh,” is rooted in the word Sad, which means hundred. Some say this name refers to the 50 days and 50 nights between Sadeh Feast and New Year’s Day, which together equal 100. Others claim that traditionally the Feast was celebrated 100 days after winter began. Yet another theory claims that the name refers to the hundred children King Kioomars supposedly fathered. There are also people who reject any association between the words Sad and Sadeh at all, who believe the Feast is held on this day because it is 40 days after the sun's birth on "Yalda night." Despite the extreme differences between these origin stories, some people believe all of these theories to be true!

In modern times, after the sun sets on Bahman 10th, three Zoroastrian priests in white robes walk toward a pile of firewood with a firebox in hand, accompanied by a number of young people carrying lit torches. The priests read some parts of Avesta--the Holy Book of Zoroastrians--in praise of the fire before setting the firewood alight. This sacred fire is lit in the hope that it remains burning through to the next Sadeh Feast. Still today this ceremony is held in Kerman, Yazd, as well as among Zoroastrians in other areas.

Now it's time to answer our quiz question-

What is Aatashkadeh and why was it established?

Due to the sacred nature of fire among Zoroastrians in Iran, buildings and places of worship were constructed with a special place reserved for fire. These places are referred to as Aatashkadeh, and are considered to be the centers of religious worship for Zoroastrians.