African Diaspora in Iran: Zar Ritual and African Cultural Influence

Despite a long history of African presence in Iran, research and study in this area are rare. Military engagement and trade were two sources of presence of Africans in Iran before East African slave trade gave rise to major African movements to southern ports of Iran in sixteenth century. Human trade reached its height in nineteenth century until it was banned in 1928. This paper examines the relation between African presence in Iran and Zar ritual practiced in southern Iran. Zar denotes a class of spirits, the illness they cause when descending upon a person, and the ritual necessary to pacify the spirits and secure the alleviation of the patient’s symptoms. The ritual involves holding a ceremony where incense, music, and movement play a role in appeasing the Zar to provide relief for the afflicted. Initially practiced only by African immigrants, Zar belief and rituals attracted a wider group of people. Gradually, Zar possession cults took shape where Africans, those of African descent, and the local population participated in Zar ceremonies. This talk, based on author’s field work in 2007-2010, presents an update on Zar ritual as practiced in Bandar Abbas and Qishm Island in Iran and explores the relation between presence of Africans in Iran, African cultural influence, and practice of Zar. Photos and short film clips of Zar ceremonies in Iran and Sudan will be presented.