An Interpretive Analysis of the Ābāngān Festival in Zoroastrian Culture Using Clifford Geertz's Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Assistant Professor at Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, College of Iranian Studies

10.22103/jic.2025.25219.1435

Abstract

Throughout history, humankind has created numerous devotional rituals to understand the ordered structure of existence and believe in the supernatural nature of phenomena. Among these, establishing festivals has been one of the most important forms of worship, to which various religions of the world have paid attention with the motivation of renewing time. The Zoroastrian religion is one of the religions in which holding festivals holds a special place. In this faith, festivals are held on various occasions and are accompanied by hymns, feasts, and a collection of pleasant customs. Here, one of the monthly festivals in Zoroastrian culture, called Ābāngān, is examined, which, according to Yazdgird’s calendar, is held on the tenth day of the eighth month of the year, Ābān. In the present study, Clifford Geertz's interpretive analysis method has been used to understand the deep and hidden meanings of this festival and its how and why. Due to the influence of the goddess Anāhitā's role in this ceremony, the relevant Avestan hymns have also been examined with a textual analysis approach to interpret the reason for the ritual at its profound level. The research data pertains to the Zoroastrian community of Iran and has been collected through oral interviews, digital content, and library resources. This festival is specifically held to commemorate water and Anāhitā. The findings show that this ritual is not only a cultural means through which the Zoroastrian community defines itself, but it is also held for group solidarity, strengthening natural forces, the prosperity ...

Keywords

References

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Iranian Civilization Research
Volume 7, Issue 2 - Serial Number 14
December 2026
Pages 149-170

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