Zourkhaneh (House of strength)

“Think well”, “Speak well”, “Act well”, these nice principles of Zoroastrian origin, have served as the base for rising young Iranians and for building a life enriched by effort and respect for a highly human ethic. They believed that a healthy body developed by appropriate physical exercises could better defend the country and stand up against the aggressors.
One of the most curious and interesting heritages of ancient Iran is the attendance of Zourkhaneh (House of strength) where the traditional sport of Iran- Bastan (Ancient Iran) takes place. It is customary to exercise the body and prepare it for fighting. The people who assist in Zourkhaneh cultivate their body as well as their minds. Zourkhaneh has survived over the centuries as a perfect learning school for life and It has played an important role in preserving moral and mystical values in Iran.
Like the other aspects of the Iranian culture such as language and literature, miniature, and … the Zourkhaneh is indicative of the culture. It allows Iranians to keep the chivalrous traditions of their ancestors. It is at the same time sport, religious ritual, literature and theater.

Origin of Zourkhaneh

The need for defense against the invaders, forced the ancient Iranians to practice physical exercises in a continuous and effective manner. So, the sport was elaborated with instruments and the accessories copied from the warrior’s paraphernalia, then adapted to a little space (the Zourkhaneh) for training young people.

“Ayyari” and “Ma’refat” (modesty and chivalry)
In the 7th century, the Arabs invasion forced Iran to regroup its forces. The Arabs muzzled any form of patriotism, but a knightly system, called “Ayyari”, was quickly formed and gradually reorganized into a political movement, recovering its rules from the Parthians (250 B.C. – 224 AD). Since, The Zourkhaneh became a meeting place for opponents of the aggressors. It is for the same reason that Zourkhaneh was banned, and the Persians practiced it in secret.
In the 10th century, the “Ayyar”, struggled to liberate their homeland from foreign domination. They experienced in all martial exercises, took up arms against the enemies, and they laid the foundation for an Iranian authority. At the time, chivalrous brotherhoods were formed, and it formed a chain which enclosed the entire plateau of Iran, reaching even into Baghdad.
The influence of the chivalry was not only in regrouping of forces but also for the safeguard of national traditions and for the propagation of the Shiite faith when the sovereigns of the country tried to propagate the Sunni doctrine.
The heyday of Zourkhaneh was reached under the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) when Shi’ism became the state religion.

The Sufism
If the dome of the Zourkhaneh is inspired by the domes of Dervish Monasteries, it is not accidental! The interior layout of the gymnasium evokes the meeting room of the Sufi. Here, we find an arena dominated by a pulpit. Zourkhaneh exercises take place in an often-octagonal pit about a meter deep. This should be seen as putting into practice the maxims professed by certain dervishes who live in complete humility, lying on the ground so as not to forget the humble origins of man and the fragile full of honors.
Thus, the athletes touch the floor of the arena with their feet and their backs to measure the little thing which is the force of a body which has come out of clay, and which will turn to dust
The rostrum, located at the entrance to the Zourkhaneh where the Morshed (guide) takes place, is a replica of the chairs that were erected in dervish hermitages and tea houses to commemorate the heyday of Shiism. The Morshed punctuates the gymnastic movements with drums and bells, declaiming epic and mystical couplets or prayers.
The relations between members of a Zourkhaneh are modeled on the links which unite a Sufi brotherhood. Morshed is the equivalent of the sheikh designating the master of a sect. The Mystical Way is characterized by successive stages which go from research to annihilation in divine love. The enthusiasts of ancient sports go through degrees and experience a long training.

The hierarchy in the Zourkhaneh
The hierarchy in the Zourkhaneh is based on the seniority of the athlete and its performance.  The disciple of Zourkhaneh, when he begins the sport, is Nowtcheh (novice). At the end of this period, the Nowtcheh will become Nowkhasteh (adolescent) and will already enjoy some consideration among the athletes. Preserving in his efforts to gain self-control, the young man will be elevated to the rank of Khodsakhteh, (self-made man) and he is now numbered among valiant and generous men. A skilled Khodsakhteh is the Pichkesvat (pioneer, usually one who is older and has more experience), second in the hierarchy of the gymnasium. The Pahlavan (word which means brave), first in the hierarchy, is the one who teaches the novices and who guides the adolescents.
The entrance of the Khodsakhteh, Pishkesvat and Pahlavan is greeted with a drumbeat and a bell ringing, then the Morshed asks the audience to show his deference to the hero by chanting the consecrated formula which he so calls “Salavat”: May divine mercy extend to Muhammad and all his descendants! This is why they also bear the title of Salavati or even “master of the bell and the drum”. The Pahlavan, unanimously adored by crowds, contested the title of Jahan- Pahlavan, that is to say “world champion”. All those who have been brought up to this glory are so many symbols of athletic virtuosity allied to ethical fulfillment.

Mil

The procedure of the exercises
The athletes are dressed in typical pants of the Zourkhaneh: leather or embroidered fabric breeches enhanced with traditional patterns. It is a collage of supple leather that was wrapped around knights and messengers. The rest of the body is sometimes naked (as a sign of valor, a memory of the seasoned knights who were always ready to fight without worrying about contingencies), and sometimes dressed in a shirt with short sleeves.
The instruments used in Zourkhaneh are the Mil (a wooden club reminiscent of the wooden mace) weighing from 2 to 25 kilos, Kabbadeh (a metal bow) weighing from 10 to 50, Sang (a wooden board evoking the large shields) weighing from 30 to 60 kilograms, and the Takhteh -Shena (swimming board). This imitation armament prepared men for the handling of the real armament and at the same time developed their musculature and endurance.
The Miandar who leads the game from the
middle of the pit offers each of his comrades to replace him, but this honor is generally declined, and he ends up leading the way.
Some poems are often sung with music to encourage the athletes, in the Zoorkhaneh:
In all large cities of Iran, one can find the Zourkhaneh. Tourists always have the opportunity to visit them, during the trip, do not miss to visit a Zurkhaneh before leaving the country!

Kabbadeh

Sang

Takhte -Shena