Alam Gardani in Siah Saran Village

Muharram mourning is one of the most important religious ceremonies of Muslims. In this ceremony, Iranians and other Shiites around the world mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), the third imam of Shiites. Imam Husain (AS) was a free man who did not surrender to Yazid, the cruel and corrupt ruler of his time, and was, eventually, martyred while traveling with his family and companions to Kufa at the invitation of the people of that city. Muharram mourning, which usually starts on the 1st of Muharram and sometimes continues until the end of the month of Safar (about 60 days later), is a manifestation of people’s respect for Imam Husain (AS) and their interest in standing up against tyrants and oppressors.

Many traditions have been formed throughout history in relation to Muharram mourning and special forms of mourning with special symbols take place in different parts of Iran. The Azari-speaking people of Iran have their own special ceremony for mourning Imam Husain’s martyrdom. Alam Gardani is a famous mourning ceremony in East Azarbaijan Province, which is held in the village of Siah Saran where people engage in mass mourning by hoisting and carrying special flags as a sign of readiness to support the path of Imam Husain (AS).

Geographical Features of the Jolfa County

The three villages of Siah Aaran, Zaviyeh, and Livarjan are located in Jolfa County in East Azarbaijan Province. With a population of about two thousand people, Livarjan Village is the most populated village of Jolfa. These three villages are located in one of the northernmost regions of Iran and near the Aras River. Its people speak the Azari Turkish language and are Twelver Shiites. The main occupation of the people of these villages is agriculture, and produce high-quality agricultural and horticultural products.

Jolfa County has common borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia. There are many historical monuments in Jolfa County, a significant number of which are related to the history and culture of the Armenian minority living there. With its ancient history and culture, this country has certain unique ceremonies that are rooted in the rich culture of its people. Alam Gardani is one of these ceremonies that is held every year in the first decade of the month of Muharram.

How Is Alam Gardani Ceremony Held?

To hold this ceremony, the residents of the above-mentioned three villages gather in Siah Saran Village on the 9th day of Muharram (Tasua) and carry flags in honor of the martyrs of Karbala. Among the seven flags carried on this day, the one named after Hazrat Abul Fazl, the brother standard-bearer of Imam Husain (AS), is considered the most important one and has a height of more than five meters.

In the first days of Muharram, the “alams” (flags) are brought one by one to the area where the people gather in the morning of Tasua to mourn Hazrat Abul Fazl. The mourning group of Siah Saran moves towards Livarjan along with their seven alams and the people of Livarjan also go to welcome them with their seven alams. As soon as the two groups of mourners reach each other, the flag bearers bend their flags forward as a sign of respect, and in this way, the ceremony of welcoming the mourners is performed. According to the local people, this move is a sign of greeting one another. After holding a joint mourning ceremony, the alams of Livarjan Village see off the alams of Siah Saran Village.

In the afternoon of Tasua, the flag of Livarjan will be taken to Siah Saran and a similar ceremony will be held there. In the evening, i.e. the eve of Ashura, three flags move from the village of Siah Saran to the village of Livarjan in order to set off with three flags from that village towards the Zaviyeh Village. These flags arrive at the shrine in Zaviyeh Village in the middle of the night, and the mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) and his companions is held. Two flags from Zaviyeh Village also join this ceremony.

This ceremony, which is held in three villages of Jolfa County, under the name of “Alam Gardani in Siah Saran Village” was inscribed on the list of Iran’s intangible national heritage in the year 2012.

Alam Gardani is a ceremony held in the first decade of the month of Muharram participated by the residents of the three villages of Siah Aaran, Zaviyeh, and Livarjan in Jolfa County.