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Qebleh Do'a Ceremony, Bandar Abbas This ceremony is performed when the rain fail to fall. The chief prayer leader arranges such that the congregation assembles at the public place for prayers or (Mossallah) for this event. Groups of children are sent out amongst the inhabitants to collect money and eatables. Whilst they are busy they chant songs and rhymes to do with rain. This continues till the night or even till another two days. The day after which the people set out to the Qebleh Do'a to eat the special food prepared (that has been blessed). Here the food is distributed amongst the poor and this takes another two days. Then according to the instructions of the chief prayer leader, the people of the city go on a fast for rain. They congregate in the mosques where the Holy Qoran is recited. On the fourth day the inhabitants join the assembly at the Qebleh Do'a where they plead for rain. As it is believed, the wishes of a person who is fasting is granted. On the final day of the ceremony, people wear white and clean apparel, and pray, after which the sermon is read and the prayer leader prays for rain and the congregation chant 'Amen'. Zaar Ceremony, Bandar Abbas The beliefs regarding the winds of Zaar came all the way from Ethiopia to the Islamic land. "Hawa" people where those who involved by one of these winds. These are so to speak evil winds that possess a person, who then has to be freed from it by the performance of a special ritual. The person or patient possessed has to encounter with Baba or Mama Zaar, or the exorcist. This ceremony takes place on a Tuesday night. Before the ceremony men and women dress up, comb their hair and lavishly make the use of special scents. First a special potent is prepared for the patient, who Baba Zaar has kept under strict watch and away from the eyes of the others for a week. Within this time if the patient is a man, he is forbidden to set eyes on a dog, hen or any women (if the patient is a women the case is the opposite). During this week the special potent is rubbed on the patient's body and a little is also given to him to drink, whilst a few men and women with dark complexion having good voices beat the drums and dance. Before the ceremony is about to begin, a feast is spread out with an array of food, scented herbs and blood. The patient is compelled to drink blood, or else the wind will not speak up! During the dancing, the patient moves in rhythmic movements and gradually goes into hallucination. Now only Baba Zaar can contact with him or rather speak to him, who pleads with Zaar to relieve the patient. There after the patient is compelled to keep clean, wear white clothing, strictly avoid alcoholic spirits, and commit no sin, or else he'd be possessed by Zaar again. Other Ceremonies, Hormozgan Other ceremonies held in Hormozgan Province are, the Iranian new year or Norooz ceremony, Chahar Shanbeh Soori or (the last Wednesday function of the year), Eid-e-Fitr (the celebration after the fasting month of Ramadan), Eid-Qorban (the feast of sacrifice), the celebration held on the 15th of Sha'ban or lunar month which coincides with the birthday of the 12th Imam of the Shiite sect. Sacrifices held for rain, wedding ceremonies, prayer ceremonies held in Imamzadeh Seyed Mozafar and ceremonies to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (AS). |
