The 'Asghar Saghir' ritual of Tabas registered in the national intangible heritage list

The official in charge of intangible heritage registration at the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan announced the registration of the 'Asghar Saghir' ritual of Tabas County in the national list of intangible heritage works.

According to the reporter of Arya Heritage, Fariba Kahini said on Monday, October 20, 1405: "Asghar Saghir" ritual is one of the religious and traditional rituals of Tabas city, which has been passed down from generation to generation with the participation of the people and relying on religious beliefs and beliefs, and still has a special place in the mourning culture of the people of this region.

The spiritual heritage registration officer of the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan added: This ritual begins on the 9th night of Muharram, with flower arrangement and decoration of the crib in the private home of one of the elders of the city. According to their vows and devotion, people bring cloth and flowers to the venue of the ceremony and participate in the preparation of the crib.

He continued: On the 9th day of Muharram, a several-month-old baby, usually between one and three months, is placed in the cradle, and two five- to six-year-old children take care of the baby next to it. Then the cradle is moved to one of the old mourning boards of the city, and people and mourning boards mourn by the side of the cradle until the noon call to prayer.

Pointing to the cultural and anthropological values of this ritual, Kahni said: religious beliefs, social participation, and the continuity of ceremonies throughout the generations are among the features that gave this ritual an identity and provided the basis for its registration in the country's intangible heritage list.

The spiritual heritage registration officer of the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of South Khorasan emphasized the necessity of preserving the native and religious rituals of South Khorasan and said: The protection of the intangible heritage is not limited to the national registration of these rituals, but introducing, documenting and transferring them to future generations is also of particular importance. Supporting these traditions can provide the ground for connecting today's generation with the culture, beliefs and proud background of the ancestors.

Kahini pointed out: "Asghar Saghir" ceremony in Tabas has been passed down from generation to generation from father to male children of the family, and the attendants of this ceremony today are the children and survivors of previous generations. An issue that highlights the role of the family in the preservation and continuation of this cultural heritage.