Study on Wrestling Rituals, Terms, Rules, and Techniques in the Narrative Scrolls and Late Heroic Poems
Document Type : پژوهشی اصیل
Author
Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Research Background
About the history of heroic wrestling, there are valuable books such as: History of ancient sports of Iran by Beyzaei - nicknamed Parto-; History and culture of Zourkhane by Ensafpour; Iran's history of wrestling by Abbasi; and Heroic ritual and Zourkhaneh custom by Aghayri, all of which provide valuable information about wrestling terms and techniques. In addition to these, several articles have been published about the wrestling, the most important of which are: "The history of wrestling in Iran" by Parviz, which discusses the oldest archaeological document about wrestling in Iran; "Wrestling and the archetype of the hero" by Khosravi et al., which, from the perspective of the theory of the collective unconscious, deals with the ritual of wrestling as the manifestation of the archetype of the hero's battle with the shadows (the battle of the protagonist with the antagonist); "Zoroastrian Sedre and Kosti and its reflection in Kormanji Wrestling and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh" by Bidaki, which refers to the influence of wearing Sedre and Kosti in Zoroastrianism on the clothes and belts worn by wrestlers in the Kormanji Wrestling, as well as the reflection of this tradition in the Shahnameh.
So far as the ritual of wrestling and its laws are concerned, no research has been done on the scrolls, and this research is one of the first attempts.
Goals, questions, and assumptions
Although archaeological documents and ancient Persian historical and literary books provide valuable information about the wrestling in different periods of Iran's history, unfortunately, except for a few writings such as Soltani's Fotovvatnameh (by Waez Kashefi Sabzevari) (Kashefi Sabzevari, 1971, 312-306) and a book the manuscript of which belongs to the 9th century of the Hijri (Ra ten treatises on shooting and archery and warfare, 2018, 41-37), none of them, in particular, have dealt with the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling. Accordingly, the only texts that provide valuable information in this regard, and they refer to the ritual of wrestling among wrestlers, are the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems; therefore, the purpose of this research is to provide a clear picture of wrestling and to show the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling, what is neglected in many ancient texts.
This article tries to answer these questions: What are the differences between ancient wrestling and new wrestling? What terms have been forgotten in new wrestling? What techniques can be added to the treasure of new wrestling?
Main discussion
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we are dealing with two types of wrestling: one, a wrestling for match, and the other, for battle. In the wrestling for match, two wrestlers, in the city square or in front of the soldiers, prove their strength, fight with each other. The one who knocks the other down is the winner. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have few examples of this type, the most important of which are: Rostam's wrestling with Afrasiab in Turan's capital square. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, most of the wrestling are wrestling for battle, which sometimes changed the fate of a war and determined the winner of the battle.
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have rules of wrestling, which are considered errors today, but in the past, their use was free. In these wrestling, wrestlers either used combat uniforms or wore special clothes called Tonoke. In these wrestling, we encounter techniques that have been forgotten today and we only see their names in some scrolls or some Persian dictionary.
Conclusion
Although the sport of wrestling in Iran is several thousand years old, apart from the books and articles that have been published in the new era, and some books and short poems that are related to several centuries ago, written documents are not available about the ritual, the techniques and terms of wrestling. The narrative scrolls and late heroic poems are among the sources that can give us valuable information about the rules and terms of wrestling. These sources have discussed five laws about wrestling clearly and comprehensively, and some rare references are mentioned in this field. In addition, In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we can see valuable information about the place and time of the wrestling, the clothes of the wrestlers, the types of rare techniques, and also some terms of the old wrestlers.
References
Afashri, M., & Maroji, F. (2018). Ten treatises on shooting, archery and warfare (in Farsi). Cheshmeh.
Kashefi Sabzevari. H (1971). Fotovvat-nama Soltani (in Farsi) (edited by M. J. Mahjoub). Farhang Iran Foundation.
Research Background
About the history of heroic wrestling, there are valuable books such as: History of ancient sports of Iran by Beyzaei - nicknamed Parto-; History and culture of Zourkhane by Ensafpour; Iran's history of wrestling by Abbasi; and Heroic ritual and Zourkhaneh custom by Aghayri, all of which provide valuable information about wrestling terms and techniques. In addition to these, several articles have been published about the wrestling, the most important of which are: "The history of wrestling in Iran" by Parviz, which discusses the oldest archaeological document about wrestling in Iran; "Wrestling and the archetype of the hero" by Khosravi et al., which, from the perspective of the theory of the collective unconscious, deals with the ritual of wrestling as the manifestation of the archetype of the hero's battle with the shadows (the battle of the protagonist with the antagonist); "Zoroastrian Sedre and Kosti and its reflection in Kormanji Wrestling and Ferdowsi's Shahnameh" by Bidaki, which refers to the influence of wearing Sedre and Kosti in Zoroastrianism on the clothes and belts worn by wrestlers in the Kormanji Wrestling, as well as the reflection of this tradition in the Shahnameh.
So far as the ritual of wrestling and its laws are concerned, no research has been done on the scrolls, and this research is one of the first attempts.
Goals, questions, and assumptions
Although archaeological documents and ancient Persian historical and literary books provide valuable information about the wrestling in different periods of Iran's history, unfortunately, except for a few writings such as Soltani's Fotovvatnameh (by Waez Kashefi Sabzevari) (Kashefi Sabzevari, 1971, 312-306) and a book the manuscript of which belongs to the 9th century of the Hijri (Ra ten treatises on shooting and archery and warfare, 2018, 41-37), none of them, in particular, have dealt with the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling. Accordingly, the only texts that provide valuable information in this regard, and they refer to the ritual of wrestling among wrestlers, are the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems; therefore, the purpose of this research is to provide a clear picture of wrestling and to show the rituals, terms, laws, and techniques of wrestling, what is neglected in many ancient texts.
This article tries to answer these questions: What are the differences between ancient wrestling and new wrestling? What terms have been forgotten in new wrestling? What techniques can be added to the treasure of new wrestling?
Main discussion
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we are dealing with two types of wrestling: one, a wrestling for match, and the other, for battle. In the wrestling for match, two wrestlers, in the city square or in front of the soldiers, prove their strength, fight with each other. The one who knocks the other down is the winner. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have few examples of this type, the most important of which are: Rostam's wrestling with Afrasiab in Turan's capital square. In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, most of the wrestling are wrestling for battle, which sometimes changed the fate of a war and determined the winner of the battle.
In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we have rules of wrestling, which are considered errors today, but in the past, their use was free. In these wrestling, wrestlers either used combat uniforms or wore special clothes called Tonoke. In these wrestling, we encounter techniques that have been forgotten today and we only see their names in some scrolls or some Persian dictionary.
Conclusion
Although the sport of wrestling in Iran is several thousand years old, apart from the books and articles that have been published in the new era, and some books and short poems that are related to several centuries ago, written documents are not available about the ritual, the techniques and terms of wrestling. The narrative scrolls and late heroic poems are among the sources that can give us valuable information about the rules and terms of wrestling. These sources have discussed five laws about wrestling clearly and comprehensively, and some rare references are mentioned in this field. In addition, In the narrative scrolls and late heroic poems, we can see valuable information about the place and time of the wrestling, the clothes of the wrestlers, the types of rare techniques, and also some terms of the old wrestlers.
References
Afashri, M., & Maroji, F. (2018). Ten treatises on shooting, archery and warfare (in Farsi). Cheshmeh.
Kashefi Sabzevari. H (1971). Fotovvat-nama Soltani (in Farsi) (edited by M. J. Mahjoub). Farhang Iran Foundation.
Keywords
Subjects
Abbasi, M. (1998). Iran's ship history (in Farsi). Majid Publications.
Afshar, M., & Madayeni, M. (1998). Seven armies (comprehensive scroll of narrators). Institute of Humanities.
Afshari, M., & Maroji, F. (eds) (2018). Ten treatises on shooting, archery and warfare (in Farsi). Cheshmeh.
Aghayari, Kh. (2017). Pahlavi religion and Zourkhane tradition (in Farsi). Neyastan.
Aidenloo, S. (ed) (2012). Shahnameh storytelling scroll (in Farsi). Behangar.
Aidenoo, S. (ed) (2014). Zarrin Qaba-nameh (in Farsi). Sokhan.
Bahar, L. (2004). Bahar Ajam (in Farsi) (edited by K. Dezfoulian). Talayeh.
Beizaei, H. (2003). The history of ancient sports in Iran (in Farsi). Zavvar.
Bidaki. H. (2018). Sedrah and Kosty in Zoroaster religion and its reflection in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and Kurmanji Wrestling (in Farsi). Culture and Folk Literature, 6(19), 175-194.
Borhan Tabrizi, M. (1983). Borhan Ghate (in Farsi) (edited by M. Moin). Amir Kabir Publications.
Borzo-Nameh (in Farsi). (2005). Ata bine Yaqoub (edited by A. Mohammadi). Bou-Ali Sina University Publications.
Ensafpour, Gh. (1974). History and culture of Zourkhane (in Farsi). Culture and Art Publications, Anthropology Center of Iran.
Gafouri, R. (2019). Narrative prose of Shahnameh (in Farsi). Aron.
Ghafouri, R. (ed) (2019). Tahamtan-nameh (in Farsi). Dr. Mahmoud Afshar Publications & Sokhan Publications.
Hamedani, R. F. (1994). Jame al-Tawarikh (in Farsi) (edited by M. Roshan and M. Mousavi). Alborz.
Ibne Juzi, A. (1979). Almontazam fi Tarikh al-molouk o al-omam (in Arabic). Osmani Encyclopedia.
Jamal-o-ddin Anju, H. (1972). Jahangiri culture (in Farsi) (edited by R. Afifi). Ferdowsi University.
Joveyni, M. (2003). History of Jahangosha Joveyni (in Farsi) (edited by M. Qazvini). World of Books.
Kashefi Sabzevari. H (1971). Fotovvat-nama Soltani (in Farsi) (edited by M. J. Mahjoub). Farhang Iran Foundation.
Kazemini, K. (1964). The role of championed and the Ayyari movement (in Farsi). National Bank.
Khosravi, Z., Afkhami, B., Hajizadeh, K., & Barghamadi, M. (2021). Wrestling and the hero archetype (in Farsi). Culture and Folk Literature, 9(37), 169-194.
Kotabi, M. (1985). History of Al-e Mozaffar (in Farsi) (edited by A. Navai). Amir Kabir.
Maftoun Hamedani. (1985). Diwan (in Farsi) (edited by R. Maftoun). Zavvar.
Marashi, Z. (1985). History of Gilan and Deylamian (in Farsi) (edited by M. Sotoudeh). Information.
Minavi, M. (2008). The story of Rostam and Sohrab (in Farsi). Zavvar.
Mir-nejat Isfahani. (no date). Gol koshti (in Farsi). Library of the Islamic Congress. Number 13214.
Mohammad Padeshah. (1984). Anenderaj Persian comprehensive dictionary (in Farsi) (edited by M. Dabir siyaghi). Bookstore
Moin, M. (1947). Mazdeyasna and its influence in Persian literature (in Farsi). University of Tehran.
Moradpour, H. (2012). Rules of wrestling (in Farsi). Sokhnvaran Parseh.
Naigoli, M. Sh. (ed) (2018). Shahnameh comprehensive storytelling scroll. Beh-nashr
Parviz, A. (1998). The history of wrestling in Iran (in Farsi). Archaeology, 1(2), 9-11.
Pourdawoud, A. (1998). Yashta (in Farsi). Asatir.
Qanawati, M. J., & Mohammad Hosni Saghiri, Z. (2021). Seven armies of Shahnameh. Khamoosh.
Riazi, M. R., Pour-Asadi, F., Hosseini, A., Dehbashi, L., Seyrafi, S., & Mahdizad, P. (2008). Dictionary of sports pictures of Iran (in Farsi). Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Rostam ol-Hakma, M. (1969). Rostam al-Tawarikh (in Farsi) (edited by M. Moshiri). Taban.
Royani, V. (ed) (2018). Sam-nameh (in Farsi). Written Heritage Publication.
Saadi, M. (2006). Collection of Saadi's works (in Farsi). Hermes.
Saidi, M. (ed) (2006). Shahname scroll (in Farsi). Xosh Negar.
Sedaghat Nezhad, J. (1995). Jahangir- Namah (old scroll) (in Farsi). Nima.
Sedaghat Nezhad, J. (2016). Old Shah-Nameh scroll (in Farsi). Book World
Shamlou, A. (ed) (2007). Gilgamesh. Cheshme.
Wasefi, Z. M. (1970). Badaye aj-vaghaye (in Farsi) (edited by A. Beldrov). Zar.
Yahaghi, J., & Mahwan, F. (eds) (2019). Rostam-nameh Naghalan (in Farsi). Sokhan.
Yahaghi, M. J. (2009). From Pazh to Razan gate (in Farsi). Sokhn.
Zariri, Isfahani, A. (ed) (2017). Shahnama Naqalan (in Farsi). Ghoghnous.
Afshar, M., & Madayeni, M. (1998). Seven armies (comprehensive scroll of narrators). Institute of Humanities.
Afshari, M., & Maroji, F. (eds) (2018). Ten treatises on shooting, archery and warfare (in Farsi). Cheshmeh.
Aghayari, Kh. (2017). Pahlavi religion and Zourkhane tradition (in Farsi). Neyastan.
Aidenloo, S. (ed) (2012). Shahnameh storytelling scroll (in Farsi). Behangar.
Aidenoo, S. (ed) (2014). Zarrin Qaba-nameh (in Farsi). Sokhan.
Bahar, L. (2004). Bahar Ajam (in Farsi) (edited by K. Dezfoulian). Talayeh.
Beizaei, H. (2003). The history of ancient sports in Iran (in Farsi). Zavvar.
Bidaki. H. (2018). Sedrah and Kosty in Zoroaster religion and its reflection in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and Kurmanji Wrestling (in Farsi). Culture and Folk Literature, 6(19), 175-194.
Borhan Tabrizi, M. (1983). Borhan Ghate (in Farsi) (edited by M. Moin). Amir Kabir Publications.
Borzo-Nameh (in Farsi). (2005). Ata bine Yaqoub (edited by A. Mohammadi). Bou-Ali Sina University Publications.
Ensafpour, Gh. (1974). History and culture of Zourkhane (in Farsi). Culture and Art Publications, Anthropology Center of Iran.
Gafouri, R. (2019). Narrative prose of Shahnameh (in Farsi). Aron.
Ghafouri, R. (ed) (2019). Tahamtan-nameh (in Farsi). Dr. Mahmoud Afshar Publications & Sokhan Publications.
Hamedani, R. F. (1994). Jame al-Tawarikh (in Farsi) (edited by M. Roshan and M. Mousavi). Alborz.
Ibne Juzi, A. (1979). Almontazam fi Tarikh al-molouk o al-omam (in Arabic). Osmani Encyclopedia.
Jamal-o-ddin Anju, H. (1972). Jahangiri culture (in Farsi) (edited by R. Afifi). Ferdowsi University.
Joveyni, M. (2003). History of Jahangosha Joveyni (in Farsi) (edited by M. Qazvini). World of Books.
Kashefi Sabzevari. H (1971). Fotovvat-nama Soltani (in Farsi) (edited by M. J. Mahjoub). Farhang Iran Foundation.
Kazemini, K. (1964). The role of championed and the Ayyari movement (in Farsi). National Bank.
Khosravi, Z., Afkhami, B., Hajizadeh, K., & Barghamadi, M. (2021). Wrestling and the hero archetype (in Farsi). Culture and Folk Literature, 9(37), 169-194.
Kotabi, M. (1985). History of Al-e Mozaffar (in Farsi) (edited by A. Navai). Amir Kabir.
Maftoun Hamedani. (1985). Diwan (in Farsi) (edited by R. Maftoun). Zavvar.
Marashi, Z. (1985). History of Gilan and Deylamian (in Farsi) (edited by M. Sotoudeh). Information.
Minavi, M. (2008). The story of Rostam and Sohrab (in Farsi). Zavvar.
Mir-nejat Isfahani. (no date). Gol koshti (in Farsi). Library of the Islamic Congress. Number 13214.
Mohammad Padeshah. (1984). Anenderaj Persian comprehensive dictionary (in Farsi) (edited by M. Dabir siyaghi). Bookstore
Moin, M. (1947). Mazdeyasna and its influence in Persian literature (in Farsi). University of Tehran.
Moradpour, H. (2012). Rules of wrestling (in Farsi). Sokhnvaran Parseh.
Naigoli, M. Sh. (ed) (2018). Shahnameh comprehensive storytelling scroll. Beh-nashr
Parviz, A. (1998). The history of wrestling in Iran (in Farsi). Archaeology, 1(2), 9-11.
Pourdawoud, A. (1998). Yashta (in Farsi). Asatir.
Qanawati, M. J., & Mohammad Hosni Saghiri, Z. (2021). Seven armies of Shahnameh. Khamoosh.
Riazi, M. R., Pour-Asadi, F., Hosseini, A., Dehbashi, L., Seyrafi, S., & Mahdizad, P. (2008). Dictionary of sports pictures of Iran (in Farsi). Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Rostam ol-Hakma, M. (1969). Rostam al-Tawarikh (in Farsi) (edited by M. Moshiri). Taban.
Royani, V. (ed) (2018). Sam-nameh (in Farsi). Written Heritage Publication.
Saadi, M. (2006). Collection of Saadi's works (in Farsi). Hermes.
Saidi, M. (ed) (2006). Shahname scroll (in Farsi). Xosh Negar.
Sedaghat Nezhad, J. (1995). Jahangir- Namah (old scroll) (in Farsi). Nima.
Sedaghat Nezhad, J. (2016). Old Shah-Nameh scroll (in Farsi). Book World
Shamlou, A. (ed) (2007). Gilgamesh. Cheshme.
Wasefi, Z. M. (1970). Badaye aj-vaghaye (in Farsi) (edited by A. Beldrov). Zar.
Yahaghi, J., & Mahwan, F. (eds) (2019). Rostam-nameh Naghalan (in Farsi). Sokhan.
Yahaghi, M. J. (2009). From Pazh to Razan gate (in Farsi). Sokhn.
Zariri, Isfahani, A. (ed) (2017). Shahnama Naqalan (in Farsi). Ghoghnous.
