Takam Gardani

Nowruz, which marks the beginning of the spring season and Iranian New Year is one of Iran’s most important national occasions. Nowruz is celebrated with special rituals and customs in different parts of Iran. In Azarbaijan, people welcome spring by holding Takam Gardani programs, which are popular in the Azari-speaking provinces of Iran, including East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Ardabil; especially in such cities as Ardabil, Meshkinshahr, and Ahar. This custom was inscribed on the list of Iran’s intangible national heritage of Iran in the year 2011.

The Status and Importance of Nowruz

Nowruz is the first day of the Iranian solar year, usually coinciding with March 21st. In this solar calendar, the moment of change of the year is equal to the moment of the vernal equinox, that is, the time when the sun passes through Aries and day and night are of equal duration.

Nowruz is one of the most ancient festivities in Iran. However, its exact origin is not known. Some historians believe that Nowruz has been celebrated in Iran since 538 BC when Cyrus the Great was the king. Despite the fact that following the advent of Islam in Iran many earlier customs changed and came to be forgotten, because of being highly respected and honored, Nowruz continued to be a festivity, and Islam and Shiite Imams also approved of it.

This ancient festivity is celebrated in large parts of Asia. In addition to Iran, Nowruz is also celebrated in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Syria, Iraq, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Albania, China, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.

What is Takam and Takam Gardandi?

In Turkish language “Taka” means male goat. The letter “Mim” (M in English) at the end of it is a sign of ownership, and thus, “Takam” can mean “my male goat”. Takam is a wooden statue of a male goat, which is placed on a round or square board. In most parts of Azarbaijan, Takam is covered with black goat hair, and a red piece of cloth is spread over it. As a color that conveys enthusiasm and freshness, red color is very important in the Nowruz customs of Iran.

Like real goats, the male goat doll is decorated with things like bells. The doll is not attached to the board on which it is placed and can be moved up and down with the help of a wooden handle. Taking the male goat statue in his hand, “Takam Gardan” makes it move and recites poems. He moves the Takam in such a way as if he speaks! These poems are usually associated with performing rhythmic movements and while expressing humorous themes, they speak about the arrival of spring and Nowruz and the spectators who watch the performance of the Takam Gardan give him gifts.

The people who perform Takam Gardandi usually start their work when the weather begins to warm up and the snow in the Sablan mountains begins to melt. Takam Gardandi is considered to be a hereditary profession. Sometimes the performer is accompanied by a person, referred to as “Tubarekesh” or “Turbachken” in Azari terms, who, during the program, holds a bag, moves among the audience, and collects their gifts.

Poems Recited during Takam Gardandi

Takam Gardandi is not performed with every type of poetry and song and has its own special style and poems. These poems cover wide themes and, therefore, in addition to their humorous themes or asking for gifts from the audience, the Takam Gardand even sings about everyday experiences, justice, and religious issues. The variety of themes allows the performers to use their creativity in the best way so that their performances would be different from the previous events are not repeated. Most of the poems used in Takam Gardandi are in the Azari language, but the performers may also use Persian poems as well.

In Azarbaijan, people welcome spring by holding Takam Gardani programs, which are popular in the Azari-speaking provinces of Iran, including East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, and Ardabil; especially in such cities as Ardabil, Meshkinshahr, and Ahar.