The Kurdish Villages, Hajij – Kermanshah, Iran
Photo by Ramin Nouri

In the Western part of Iran and in a region inhabited by Kurds, there are three villages that share the same architectural style and history. From these three villages two are located in Kermanshah Province and one in Kurdistan Province. Hajij and Huraman are in the former and Palangan is in the latter province mentioned. All three villages are stepped in structure so that the roof of one house becomes the yard or the passageway of the houses in the upper level. The houses are built in two flats using dry stone technique. The houses differ based on its owner’s job. For example, the houses that belong to farmers have bigger storage areas and those inhabited by cattle owners have spacious barns. The cold weather of winters and the moderate weather of summer is another common feature of the three villages.

All three villages are stepped in structure so that the roof of one house becomes the yard or the passageway of the houses in the upper level. The houses are built in two flats using dry stone technique. The houses differ based on its owner’s job.

Kurds of that area were once true followers of Zoroastrianism. But even after converting to Islam, the traditions of Zoroastrianism remained in the collective memory of those people. This is represented in traditions like Pir Shaliar that is held twice a year in winter and spring. Shaliar was a pious man like a saint that lived in Huraman. When he was a child, he lost his parents and was left under the care of his uncle. The uncle’s wife didn’t love Shaliar and sent him out to take care of livestock and gather brushwood. However, because the kid was blessed, the livestock gave more milk and he could gather wood as much as ten men would do.

The uncle’s wife became suspicious of what was happening and followed the child one day. She saw that when Shaliar started playing his flute, the plants grew faster and the livestock ate from them. She returned to the village and told what she saw; that evening all the people gathered in the entrance of the village to welcome Shaliar. There is another story regarding Pir Shaliar and that is the tale of his marriage. The daughter of the king fell sick one day and no one was able to cure her. The king promised her daughter’s hand in marriage to whoever cures her. Shaliar helps and when he is sure of the girl’s consent, he agrees to the marriage. The marriage becomes the symbol of people’s unity and consensus.

So each year once in Ordibehesht, the second month of spring and once in Bahman, the second month of winter people gather around and celebrate the wedding anniversary of Shaliar and thank God for the discovery of fire and all that was given to human beings.

The Kurdish Villages, Huraman – Kermanshah, Iran
Photo By Radiokafka/shutterstock

The archeological findings of the three villages prove that they have a long history. From a cave near Hajij, archeologists found traces of life that went back to 12 to 40 thousand years ago. After long examinations, archeologists announced that the residents of these caves were the ancestors of those who lived in Bisotun and due to unknown reasons left the place. The traces of some residential places with a stone tomb were also found in this area (the area between the three villages); the tomb had an arched roof and is considered as one of the earliest examples of dome-making in Iran.

The Kurdish Villages, Palangan – Kurdistan, Iran

The next important finding of the area is a bas-relief belonging to the second Assyrian king named Sargon II accompanied with an inscription that explains his battles and victories. The last important finding of this area is a parchment belonging to the Seleucid and Parthian era in Greece and the Pahlavi era in Iran. The document has the names of a contract’s signatories. They names are mentioned in a special way, such as Tirak the son of Apen and Avil the son of Bashnin which proves that individuals were recognized by the name of their fathers. This document was donated to the British Museum.

The three villages have a lot in common, from a shared archeological style to history and people that speak Kurdish language, although with different accents. They are among the valuable historic villages of Iran that were mostly built in the mountains. Their ancient history and the traditions that are still held add to the significance of these villages in the Iranian culture.

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Kurdistan Province, Iran

The Kurdish name was apparently given to the area during the Seljuk Dynasty (1037-1194), while Ardalan was the former name of the province attributing to the name of a clan that ruled over a large part of it since the eighth century. During the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736), Iran successfully ruled a great part of the old Kurdistan which consisted of the entire eastern slopes of the Zagros Mountain. With the establishment and ruling of the Zand Dynasty (1751-1794), the region for the first time benefited from the rulers who were Kurds.

The attractions of ​​Kurdistan are distributed all over the province including rich natural, historical, religious, and cultural resources. For example, the Uraman Takht district, located in two provinces of Kurdistan and Kermanshah, is known for the architecture of its villages since the roofs of the houses above are the yards of the houses below. The Pir Shalyar Tomb, Asef Building, Sanandaj Central Mosque, the historical Quran in the Negel village, Zrebar Lake, and Zhalaneh defile are just a part of other attractions of Kurdistan. Such, along with the local hospitality, attract a significant number of travelers to Kurdistan every year.

In terms of handicrafts, one can mention all types of Kurdish women’s and men’s clothing, Giveh, Nazok-Kari (woodwork art by delicate pieces), woodcarving, woolen fabrics, shawls, local jewels, mats, and basket weaving, wooden spoons, and forks, Poolakdoozi and Soozan Doozi (two forms of embroidery).

Finally, eatable souvenirs of the province are honey, walnuts, strawberries, rice bread, sugary sesame, date bread, Kak, and Nokhodchi bread (a sweet like chickpeas). Local foods which are mainly comprised of natural herbs (e.g., celery, mushrooms, and rhubarb) include Katepolow and Sholepolow with meat, Aush-e-dough (a kind of soup), Savar, Gerdool, Tarhana, Shole Ginim, Doughin (Nettle Aush), Kalaneh, Beryan (Kurdish Kebab), and Kufteh Shoor Dolma.

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