Culture in Iran (Pre-Islamic Revolution)

For this section you will answer the following questions as a part of your
WebQuest. Please record these answers (in complete sentences) on the following
slide. Then, you will begin working on your actual presentation. Remember, each
group member is responsible for three slides. You all will decide as a group how
you want to break that up. The questions you need to answer are:
1. Describe and give examples of the major phases of Iranian art. Discuss what kind of art is popular
during your time period (pre- or post-revolution).
2. Describe some major Iranian movies, including their plots and directors.
3. Describe some major categories of Iranian music. Focus on the most popular kinds music of your
time period (pre- or post-revolution).
4. What kinds of sports are popular in Iran? Who participates and who observes?
5. Describe Iranian cuisine. What kinds of dishes are popular? What are considered delicacies?

The following link will take you to a page that has the sources you can utilize to answer these questions:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/CultureinIranPre.html
 WebQuest Answers
1. Iranian art has one of the most diverse forms and history in the world. Their art encompasses textiles like elaborate rugs, to decorative
calligraphy of the names of Allah. The country also has many influences as people from around the world brought and traded their art and
culture with others. Some of the phases of art include the Parthian era, the Sasanian era, and the Mongol era.

2. One of the movies is called The Salesman. It was directed by Asghar Farhadi and it’s about a young couple named Emad and Rana who are
living in Tehran, Iran who need to move in to a new apartment because their flat was damaged. Once they moved in, a sudden eruption of violence
linked to the previous tenant of their new home changed their lives dramatically and created a tension between the couple.

3. In 1945, after World War II, pop music began to grow in Iran. Vigen, who sang in both Persian and Armenian, was known as the “King of Iranian
pop” in the beginning of the 1970’s. Another singer was Aref Arefkia, who was known as the “Sultan of Hearts”, introduced romantic music. After the
revolution things became a lot more strict. Women couldn’t perform in front of male audiences were anymore. Music were supported by the
government and singers were usually on the front of magazines. Googoosh was a very popular pop singer who influenced many people not only in
music but also fashion sense such as what she wore and how she did her hair. She was forbidden from performing after the revolution.

4. Freestyle wrestling has been Iran's national sport, however today, football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Iran. Because of economic
struggles, the government's annual budget for sports is around $80 million in 2010. Here are some famous athletes from Iran. Ehsan Haddadi
(discus thrower), Ehsan Hajsafi (soccer player), Alireza Karimi (soccer player), Javad Nekounam (soccer player), and there's a bunch more. The
people of Iran go and watch these games, the most popular to watch is soccer, also horseracing, soccer, futsal, and polo.

5. Iranian cuisine is considered to be the most ancient forms of cuisines. Bread is considered the most common and important found in iran. A
delicacy in iran is dolmeh. Dolmeh is stuffed vegetables wrapped in grape leaves and is traditionally served as an appetizer. The Iranian cuisine is
also well known for its desserts including baklava.
Social Class in Pre-Islamic Revolution
The Upper Class - People who owned landed, merchants and industrialists made
up the upper class. They stay apart of the upper class by staying in Iran and
having good health. They were all wealthy.

The Middle Class - Entrepreneurs, managers and people who served in the
military to fight for their country. The Middle Class had the most political power
than any of the other classes.

The Working Class - This class was divided into multiple groups of workers. They
are constructors, manufacturers and worked in transportation. They had little say
in anything in the government.

The Lower Class - The lower class was divided into two different people. The first
group consisted of those with regular employment and those without, the other
class consisted of people who did work for others (servants, street cleaners and
laundry workers).
Clothing During Pre-Islamic Revolution
● Male and female fashions were the same, they both would wear skirts.
● People didn’t mind being naked because some of the people were to low in
the social class. The rich were not naked as often.
● Everything was different based on your social class, gender differences didn't
matter.
Food During Pre-Islamic Revolution

Food in Iran is very similar to the food that we have in the United State. Most
places have KFC and McDonalds. Their food style is very different than ours in
some ways.

● Breakfast - Orange Juice, pancakes and oatmeal

● Lunch - Turkey, salad Gyro
● Snacks - Fruits, vegetables, snack bars
● Dinner - Soup, eggs, Gyro, and Lamb
Traditions in Iran
One of the most famous traditions of Iran is Nowruz, a famous holiday celebrated
by Iranians and virtually all ethnicities and religions. Celebrations date all the way
back to Cyrus the Great's reign in the sixth century B.C. Many of the seasons
traditions are connected to Zoroastrianism, an ancient monotheistic faith still
practiced by around 25,000 people in Iran.
Culture in Iran
The most commonly spoken language is Farsi which is historically the most
prominent language in the middle east and extended regions. The woman still
wear a below the knee skirt called a don airy with their signature long, white, floral
scarf that covers the shoulders. Men in Iran wear long pants with a long sleeve
shirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33ytfoYmWHE

This is an Iranian dance which is popular in Iran.

What is Iran famous for
Iran is ranked first in fruit production in the Middle East and North Africa. Iran has
been ranked 8th and 10th in global fruit production in different years. Iran
produces Persian walnut, melon, tangerine, citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, dates, cherries,
pomegranates, peaches, oranges, and raisins. Iran also is popular for making
persian rugs.
Economy in pre islamic Iran
● Capitalist economy
● Made a lot of money by oil refineries
● By the late 1970s economy became weak and many people went on strike
 Government in pre islamic Iran
● Ruled by the Shah or a king till the revolution in 1979
● Strong allies with the western civilizations including USA, UK
● During the late part of the reign became very oppressive and corrupt
 Military in pre islamic iran
● The shah of Iran had high military defense spending
● The shah wanted iran to be a superpower along with russia and the us and
needed a strong military to do so.
● Developed multiple nuclear weapons
Daily Life in Pre-Revolutionary Iran
● Women had more individual freedom
● Iran had close relations with the outside world
● Higher education was easy to obtain
● “Western” style of life
● Oil exporting
Daily Life
● Only a select group of people had an advantage over the rest
● Struggle between social classes
● Corruption of the system
● Dominance of culture and language
● The Shah had the Savak
○ Secret Police
Daily Life
Pre Islamic Agriculture
● The usable lands in Iran for agriculture are divided into 4 categories:
● the first is areas of intensive and widespread natural irrigation agriculture are characterized by precipitation and
natural water potential. The Caspian lowlands are considered to be this type.
● Second is that dry farming are the most characteristic and can be found in most parts of the country.
● Third is artificial irrigation, for example is the Iranian Plateau. It’s characterized by small patches of intensive
agricultural land use amid or little used environments.
● 4th is pasture and rangeland, animal husbandry is carried out by farming and the tribal population.
Art in Iran
● Art was more modern. Included calligraphy, pottery, painting, etc.
● Focused on the things going on around them
● Marcos Grigorian was an artist who worked with earthly mediums such as dirt
and mud.

Kazem Chalipa –
Desert
Religion
● The most practiced religion in Iran is Shi’a
● Shi’a is a monotheistic religion
● The Shah, or the monarch, promoted a more secular (worldly/less religious) way of
living, which is said to be one of the causes of the revolution.
Music in Iran
● Pre-revolution, pop music in Iran was really popular.
● Singers were the cover of almost every magazine and music was highly supported by
the government.
● Googoosh
After the revolution, a lot of music was
Gholam-Hossein Banan banned.
Parisa

Vigen Aref Arefkai