The Cradle That Rocks from Generation to Generation in Tabas: The 'Asghar Saghir' Ritual Is Registered Nationally

Birjand – The religious ritual 'Asghar Saghir' has been registered on the national list of Iran's intangible cultural heritage.

Birjand- "Asghar Saghir" religious ritual was registered in the list of national intangible heritage works of the country.

According to Mehr reporter, the traditional "Asghar Saghir" ritual, which was passed from fathers to children, played an important role in the permanence of this mourning custom, and was registered in the country's intangible heritage list.

Fariba Kahni, the person in charge of registering the spiritual heritage of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of South Khorasan, told reporters on Monday noon: "Asghar Saghir" ritual is one of the deep-rooted religious traditions in Tabas city, which was formed based on the religious beliefs of the people and has continued throughout the generations.

Explaining how to hold this ceremony, he said: The preparations for the ritual begin on the 9th night of Muharram in the private home of one of the elders of the city.

Pointing out that at this stage, the cradle is decorated with flowers, Kahni added: People also participate in its preparation by bringing cloth and flowers, according to their vows and devotion.

The spiritual heritage registrar of the General Department of Cultural Heritage of South Khorasan added: On the ninth day of Muharram, a baby, who is usually one to three months old, is placed in the cradle, and two five- to six-year-old children are present next to him and take care of the baby.

He continued: After that, the cradle will be taken to one of the old Tabas mourning boards and this ceremony will continue until noon with the presence of people and mourning boards, chanting and mourning.

The spiritual heritage registration officer of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan considered public participation, religious beliefs and the continuation of this ceremony as its most important cultural and anthropological features and stated: These features have been effective in forming the identity of this ritual and providing the basis for its registration in the country's intangible heritage list.

Pointing out that the national register is only a part of the way to protect indigenous rituals, he said: Introducing and documenting these traditions and transferring them to future generations should also be considered. Because the support of the intangible heritage provides the context for today's generation to get acquainted with the culture, beliefs and background of the ancestors.

In the end, Kahini considered the family as one of the main pillars of the continuity of this ritual and noted: the "Asghar Saghir" ceremony in Tabas was passed from the father to the male children of the family, and its current servants are also the children and survivors of the previous generations; An issue that shows the role of family transmission in maintaining this religious tradition.