The Continuity of Iranian Myth in the Structure of Mourning Rituals (Case Study: The Continuity of the Siavash Myth in the Mourning Rituals of the Bakhtiari Tribe)
Document Type : پژوهشی اصیل
Author
Assistant Professor of Political Science, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.
10.48311/cfl.2026.86485.0
Abstract
The diverse mourning rituals among Iranian ethnic groups reflect shared pre-historical and pre-textual experiences embedded in the nation’s collective cultural memory. This study, through a case analysis of the Siavash myth and its representation in the mourning rituals of the Bakhtiari tribe, identifies the structural elements that sustain the continuity of myth in living traditions. The research explores what structural components a folk ritual must possess to maintain mythological continuity within a society’s collective unconscious. The hypothesis asserts that every mourning ritual embodies four core structural elements—Mythological Vision, Feminine Language, Ritual Music, and Symbolism—each contributing to the reactivation of mythic archetypes. Using a qualitative, descriptive–analytical approach, the findings indicate that Bakhtiari women’s lamentations and accompanying ritual music symbolically revive the myth of Siavash, ensuring its transmission across generations. The study concludes by proposing a theoretical framework that defines ritual as a four-dimensional structure capable of maintaining the symbolic and existential continuity of Iran’s mythological heritage.
Keywords
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