Folk Music And Dance Of Iran

The music of Iran has thousands of years of history dating back to the Neolithic age, as seen in the archeological evidence of Elam, one of the earliest world civilizations, which was located in southwestern Iran.

The modal concepts in Iranian folk music are directly linked with that of the classical music. However, improvisation plays a minor role as folk tunes are characterized by relatively clear-cut melodic and rhythmic properties. The function of each folk melody determines its mood.

The varying aesthetic requirements of wedding songs, lullabies, love songs, harvest songs, dance pieces, etc., are met with transparent and appropriate simplicity. The majority of the classical instruments are too elaborate and difficult for the folk musicians. Instead, there are literally dozens of musical instruments of various sorts found among the rural people. In fact, each region of the country can boast instruments peculiar to itself.

Iran is home to several ethnic groups, including Kurdish, Azerbaijanis, Bakhtiari and Baluchi peoples.

Turkmen epic poets similar to Central Asian musicians are common in Khorasan, while Kurdish music is known for its double-reed duduk and an earthy, dance-oriented sound. The most famous personalities in Iranian folk music are Pari Zangeneh , Sima Bina , Kamkars group , etc. Most of Iranian folklore singers are woman.

YEP. Iranian women can be singer and sing inside Iran too. But they’re only allowed to have concerts for women. Otherwise, they can be member of singing groups. I personaly was a member of choir/soprano singers during High school and University.

Anyway i’ll discuss various types of Iranian music more in the future. Here i add some various kinds of Iranian folk music and dance (Video) from different heritages.

What’s ethnical folk music/dance of your country of origin?

Damavand, Crown Of Iran

Mount Damāvand is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Iran with a special place in the Persian mythology and folklore. ( The fotos shows it in various seasons. )

The mount is the highest point in the Middle East and the highest volcano in all of Asia. Though not volcanically active, there are fumaroles near the summit crater that deposit sulfur, which were most recently known to be active since July 6, 2007.

It has also a frozen waterfall / Icefall about 12m tall and the elevation of 5100m is the highest fall in Iran and Middle East.

Damavand is the symbol of Iranian resistance against foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Persian mythology, the three-headed dragon Aži Dahāka was chained within Mount Damavand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhāk was also chained in a cave somewhere in mount Damavand after being defeated by Kāveh and Fereydūn. Damāvand is also significant to the Iranian legend of Arash. The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Shahnameh.

The famous poem Damāvand by Mohammad Taqi Bahar is one of the finest examples of the mountain’s place in Persian literature. This is the first two verses of that poem:

Oh white demon with feet in chains
Oh terrestrial dome, Oh Mount Damavand

What’s the famous national symbol/mountain in your country?