TEHRAN - Bahmangan is one of Iran’s ancient festivals, highlighting ethical values such as good thinking, respect for nature, vegetarianism, and kindness toward animals.

Experts say the revival of such ancient rituals not only helps to keep the country's history and culture alive, but also paves the way for focusing on human and environmental values in modern society.

Reza Soleiman Noori, a history researcher, told ISNA:  “The ancient and Avestan form of the word Bahman is ‘Vohu Mana’. ‘Vohu’ means good, and ‘Mana’ also means thought; therefore, ‘Vohu Mana’ is Avestan and the current Bahman means good thought. “

In the Iranian Zoroastrian philosophy and worldview, ‘Bahman’ is a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and awareness that both emanates from within the individual and is inspired by current knowledge, which ultimately becomes a force for greater awareness and understanding of man about himself, the world, and the existence. This awareness can show man the right way to live. 

Pointing out that in the Iranian Zoroastrian calendar, each of the 30-day months has its own name, he emphasized: “Iranians have had several types of celebrations since the distant past, of which monthly celebrations are one. These celebrations were held on days when the name of the day and the month coincided, and to introduce them, the suffix ‘gan’ was added to the end of the name of that day. Accordingly, Farvardingan, Ordibeheshtgan, Tirgan, Mehregan, Bahmangan, and the like are considered to be Iranian celebrations.”

He considered each of these celebrations to have its own customs and rituals, noting: “For example, cooking Ash (a local soup) was one of the most important customs and traditions of the Bahmangan celebration in ancient Iran, which was popular among the people in the past.” 
Unlike many traditional Iranian dishes that use meat, this Ash is completely vegetarian. Its main ingredients include seven types of legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, mung beans, wheat, barley and rice, which are symbols of blessing, diversity and life. In addition to these, various aromatic vegetables such as coriander, leek, parsley, spinach and dill were also used, as well as spices such as turmeric, black pepper, salt and some cinnamon or rose petals, and sometimes curd and thin noodles known as reshteh.

He added: “This soup is also known as ‘Haft-Daneh’ or ‘Dango’ soup, and it seems that to cook it, each neighbor would give his so-called ‘dang’ or share to the house where the soup was cooked, and in this way, all neighbors had a share in the soup. This not only strengthens the spirit of cooperation, but also keeps traditions alive and passes them on to the younger generation.”
Sometimes, while cooking the soup, mothers and grandmothers would tell stories from the past and the celebrations of the old Bahmans, which helped to learn the traditions and bond the generations emotionally. 
It is worth noting that some have considered the soup called ‘Abu Darda’ or ‘Haft Dangareh’ which is prepared during the days of Muharram and Safar in parts of Iran to be the same Bahmans' soup. 
Khorasani scholar continued that Bahmangan soup is not only a traditional dish, but also a mirror of Iranian culture and thought. The use of plant-based ingredients is not only in harmony with Zoroastrianism and the avoidance of violence on this day, but also has many nutritional benefits, he added. 

“This soup is a symbol of kindness to animals, social solidarity, and an excuse to promote coexistence, cooperation, and kindness, which are fundamental values of Iranian culture, especially Zoroastrianism.”
Pointing out that another ceremony on this day was wearing white clothes, he emphasized that with this symbolic act, people showed their aversion to any impurity, filth, bloodshed, killing, and animal abuse, and offered bouquets of white flowers to each other. The special symbol or emblem of this day was also the ‘rooster’ because people believed that among the animals, the rooster, like the ‘Soroush’ (the Persian name of the angel Gabriel) of God's angels, with its alerting and awakening cry, was the promise of a bright day with a clear and white thought and called them to whiteness, clarity, purity in thought and action and aversion to bloodshed and killing animals and not trampling on their rights. 

Soleiman Noori continued that Zoroastrians refrained from killing useful animals and eating their meat during the Bahmangan or Bahmanjeh festival. “Ancient Iranians believed that this day should be spent without killing or eating animal meat. Therefore, Bahmangan Day is called the day of ‘Nabor’, that is, the day of not cutting off the head of an animal, and it has become known as the day of protection of animals in the Iranian calendar. On this day, Zoroastrians paid more attention to maintaining the health of their own body and that of others. In some Islamic texts, marriage, traveling and returning from traveling, buying and selling, and asking God for help on this day are recommended.”

He reminded that another ritual of the celebration is eating the Bahman plant, which is probably the plant symbol of this Amshaspand on earth. “On this day, red and white Bahman, a plant similar to turmeric and carrot, were poured into soup or brewed. Sometimes, dry Bahman was crushed and its powder was sprinkled on food or it was kneaded with sugar and eaten. Ancient Iranians believed that drinking fresh milk with white Bahman on the morning of Bahmangan strengthened the memory, removed forgetfulness, and protected people from the evil eye and evils.”

Also, in some families, the Bahmangan table was spread and seven plant grains including wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, rice, and beans were placed on it. Some of these seeds were previously soaked in water to germinate, then arranged on the table in a beautiful green arrangement. These sprouts symbolize growth, life, and purity.

He added: “During the Bahmangan celebration, people expressed their sincerity and respect by visiting the homes of family elders or visiting friends and acquaintances. These visits were usually accompanied by bringing small symbolic gifts such as natural flowers, sweets, nuts, fruits, or colorful fabrics, and in many families, it was customary for the younger ones to visit the elders and receive blessings from them. In return, the elders showed their love with kind words, good wishes, and gifts. This tradition not only strengthened family ties but also provided a platform for transmitting moral, cultural, and religious teachings to the younger generations.”
The researcher pointed out that in the present day, paying attention to these rituals and teachings, as well as reviving the philosophy of such celebrations, can be effective in promoting responsible behavior towards the environment and other living beings.  “Bahmangan is not only an ancient tradition but also an opportunity to reconsider our lifestyle, human values, and our relationship with nature and animals. This celebration asks us to avoid violence, respect animals and nature, and promote goodness in thought and action. In today's crisis-ridden world, such values have not only not lost their importance, but seem more vital than ever.”

KD