DUNYA NAZARÎ

Sanandaj- The Festival of Pir Shalyar is an old traditional ceremony in Eastern Kurdistan, annually held on the 40th day of winter. The celebration is held in three stages, each in a day of three consecutive weeks. On the first day of the festival, hundreds flock to Zagros Mountains in the village of Hawraman (Uraman Takht).

On the first day of the festival, children carrying bags travel from home to home knocking on the doors and the people give them food or candies.

‘We will knock the door’

Today, children in Hawraman formed small groups to travel from home to home. “Today is the first day of the Festival of Pir Shalyar. Today, we will travel from home to home. Between 15.00 to 17.00, dervishes will go to the big mosque. They will perform a dance with a mystic rhythm. Today, we will knock on the doors of the houses until evening,” said Xuan Ahmadi, one of the children.