http://www.flickr.com/photos/sepideh/
NY Persian Parade Inc. was established in the state of New York as a not-for-profit organization in 2004.
A group of Iranian philanthropists, are recognized as the founders of the New York Persian Parade.
The mission of the Persian Parade is to promote celebrations of the rich culture and prosperous heritage of Iranians.
Please click on Photographs below to start the slide show.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8830778@N02/
www.persianparade.org
Persian Day Parade. New York City, New York
Related posts:
- New York - Persian Parade 2009
- New York - Chahar Shanbe Souri Celebration
- Norouz Slideshows
- New York - Persian Arts Festival Celebrate Norooz 2009
- Azerbaijan - Nowruz 2009 in Baku
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How politically and otherwise incorrect to paint a man’s face black to portray him as an African slave who was probably sold in Iran and used as an entertainer. When will Iranians get with it??!!
Zal, Please don’t make a comment if you don’t know anything about Norouz history.
Nina-
I couldn’t agree more with you. Zal you are an ignorant person! YOu have no idea what your talking about and until you do, then you can post a comment!!
I found this description of Haji Firooz, I am not sure how accurate it is but makes sense.
The traditional herald of the Noe-Rooz season is called Haji Firooz. He symbolizes the rebirth of the Sumerian god of sacrifice, Domuzi, who was killed at the end of each year and reborn at the beginning of the New Year. Wearing black make up and a red costume, Haji Firooz sings and dances through the streets with tambourines and trumpets spreading good cheer and the news of the coming New Year.
ok, ok, i myself personally do have to admit right or wrong i’m glad someone said something. realistically and wholistically, one must have to wonder about racism when it comes to “the roots of the Arian race” and the insane kind of pride of Iranians we can not deny. To make it like no one had a real civilization before Pars is a bit absurd, wouldn’t you say, when clearly Africa is also super ancient culture even before us. and in fact there was no such thing as politics and hierarchy at the time when the earth was one entirely.
…though i admit i never looked up the actual symbol of haji firooz itself, …itjust seems we have had pretty bad karma when it comes to vanity domination and materialism. Though there is an immense lot to honor about our history and culture, “pride” as God said in scripture “always goes before the fall” . I pray in thought word and deed that we as a people can come to a place of a kinder love, of justice and unity hence Peace with ourselves and others in the world this year. Happy Norooz and Easter.
Its funny how people with absolute no knowledge think that their obvious remarks such as “black slave” even deserves a reply.
Slave what slave, Islam abolished slavery when it was founded and that was in the seventh century A.D, what about the western world?
…I’m so sorry!.. i do must add one last thing, all hate judgement and politics aside, the symbol of haaji pirooz does have to do with africa because africa is the sunniest place and he represents fire and the sun returning, and jubilation of africa FREE from the shadows and darkness of enslavement, and through the sacrifice and rebirth of Christ, EXACTLY like Easter, RASTAFARI!.. like Zoroaster, we ARE all already ONE!!! as theres only one LIGHT! Whoever denies it is a LIAR!! Lively “Irie” Blessings to you!
zal’s ignorant, but Bahar is even more so. Bahar obviously you know nothing about your history, and the persian culture. Before you post something, make sure you know what you’re talking about.
folks, we live in the US where black-face has a terrible history … so why doesn’t the US hajji firooz just refrain from putting wax on his face? even in Iran you see Hajji Firooz without black face now … so why insist on it with such passion?
and none of you have answered the question: what is the history of black face is in Iran …. is hajji firooz a left over from the african slavery? slavery was abolished in Islam but only if the slave converted, if the slave doesn’t convert, then it’s perfectly allowed … and it was alive well into the 19th century in Iran
cool your heals haters…i was merely pointing out that it is not proper to paint a man’s face black to portray him as an African…much of our Norooz tradition is ambiguous so stop running your hate if you can not answer with intelligent information to what is the root of Haji Firuz..and if you find something be sure to include the source..Iranians are very vein when it comes to many things..our love of money and glamour and stature speaks volumes on its own..but Iranians have one quality inherent in them and that is adaptability..so why don’t we adopt to being more concerned about the environment and equality. It most certainly offends anyone from an African background to see a black painted face. That has a history in this country so yes you are the ignorant one who does not have the ability or the sensibility to see that. There are many aspects of old cultures that are wrong in today’s world so there is nothing wrong at looking at one self and aspiring to change and better ourselves.
Zal, I cannot agree wit you more. Iranians are indeed racist. They consider themselves superior to others - e.g. Arabs as one example (and those commenting should simply scrutinise themselves to see what they feel about Arabs and their ways and culture!). Even within Iran, people of Tehran consider themselves superior to those from other towns. We have Asians, blacks and those with regional accents casting the national news in Britain (where there is indeed racism). And yet, can you imagine someone with a regional accent hosting anything on television in Iran?! We do indeed regard ourselves a superior race, and this stems from our utter ignorance about other cultures. We keep associating ourselves with Archeminids and keep boasting, when in reality we have evolved into a people completely different.
Reza, Iranians from Tehran specially display racist attitudes towards others. I recommend for all Tehranis to see the film "Tehran has no more Pomegranates" to see the origins of Tehran and its nonexistent role in the development of our culture and identity… most people leaving comments here haven't a clue about the origins or the meanings of much of our traditions…they are just blowing hot air! Iranian identity has changed as it should have during the 2500 yrs and we are certainly not the descendants of Kourosh. .we are not even tolerant in our house holds and the majority are subservient to "pedar salary" or "mard salary" traditions, even today, even in US or EU. Most Iranians concern with exterior and visual deception supersedes their internal truth..we boast about Hafez and Ferdosi but don't respect the fact that Hafez loved and recited the ghoran by heart and most don't know how to even read Ferdosi yet alone understand it..we just like to show off..just look at the way people respond on this board..and these are the supposedly educated and modern Iranians living abroad.
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You know what everyone? We are teaching Iranians about Woman's right. we constantly are saying women are the mothers who bring up the son in society, the sons become powerful & forget a woman brought them to the world. Then on top of all that.. We have "House of Iran" in most popular cities of USA & those people involved with all the Iran Socities must be our Models.. right??
But unfortunately, On NORUZ day when House of Iran in San Diego was celebrating, there was an Incident that stepped on all the Values of Women.
There was somebody serving food with one bare hand another gloved. Before anyone paying, she kept touching all the Trash cans, moving them around. touching the Tables, cleaning them with her hands. then she started putting the food in the Plates. A woman Questioned her action & ask the supervisor to remind them of sanatorium. Then they walked away. when she came back after 15 minutes, they served her COLD food full of leaves (weather was wet, windy) when she Objected about their action, this Man who works in House of Iran and is Delegates: Abbas Abbasove suddenly jumped out from some where & started calling names, putting the woman down by calling her Empty Brain and even got so in Rage called her ancestors & all her background Names ..
The woman who has was assertive, did not stand for all that mistreating. She started reasoning with him. but he wouldn't give up. he called the work for the celebration discussing work, & told her ..you start laboring here then you know.. she said " I do not see any gun pointing on your forehead, if you don't enjoy it ..then why do it. you are in Rage over a reminder. he didn't want to give up. Some other men under the food tent jumped out & held the woman by her arms & started pulling her while all men were saying "GET LOST DOG"..
Can you imagine how she felt but she started telling them; "here is not IRAN ..here women have rights. if you don't let go of my arms, I will have someone call the police."
That was the time they really understood she meant business & was not going to be afraid of their Rage. They all backed up. Now we were all witness.
Can you imagine how they want to destroy the right of women even in USA where we have Speech Right Amendment??
I have to say Zal, the man doesn't even look close to a black slave. I think you may need to google it and educate yourself a little bit. Besides all this.
I think its great that every culture has its day of celebration.. Love the PICS thanks for sharing!!
Why R U all wasting your time about a ***** Move on.
I've read and seen pix of this parade for the last 5 years and always feel extremely proud to be an Iranian-American. I'd love 2 go there sometime and just take it in all! Kudos to our NY'rs, and other nor 'easer Iranian-American friend and ham meehans! Ba Dorood!
Zal - I don't think it's any more incorrect than to use a white man as Santa Claus! Please, get real! This is ancient tradition - are we supposed to eradicate our old traditions in order to appease young naive kids? No we aren't!
Bahar - What in the world does Haji Firooz have to do with Aryan roots??? You're way off! As for "Intense pride of Iranians", it's only on paper and in words that we Iranians are so nationalistic - when it comes to action, we pack our suitcases and leave for a life of comfort abroad! You want to see nationalistic people? Go to Turkey! There is nothing wrong with being proud of one's nation. I don't understand your reasoning - just because Africa had "super ancient cultures" we Iranians should not be proud of our heritage? And do you actually know anything about the African "super ancient culture" - how sophisticated was it? Is there any African version of Perspepolis, Hafez, Sa'adi, Khayam, Ferdowsi, Avicenna, Mowlana, Nezami, Hakhamaneshin, and all the Persian scientists, etc, etc? Educate yourself before writing a lot of nonsense!
Bahar - you've probably been hanging around too many rastafaris - good stuff indeed! Unfortunately it can cause some people to hallucinate.
Zal - can you please tell us why it's not proper to paint a man's face black? Are you saying that black is bad? Is it something to be ashamed of? If not, then why is it so terrible to paint someones face black? And if it is so terrible, then in the name of racial equality, wouldn't it be equally as bad for a white person to sit in the sun with the intention of getting a nice tan?
Reza - If you think Iranians are racist, you don't know what racism is!!! Perhaps you should live in some European countries, or some place in the U.S. so that you would know the true meaning of racism! Besides, I don't see a relation between Haji Firooz and your accusation that Iranians think they're superior. I think you're very wrong! First of all, I can't think of any people in the world who are as friendly and welcoming towards foreigners as Iranians are! Secondly, I think that Iranians do not think of themselves as superior - on the contrary, many Iranians suffer from a series of complexes. How many times have I not heard Iranians say "Oh, he or she was so good looking - he didn't look Iranian at all!" Many Iranians might have a bad habit of calling other people "dahati", but that is not racism, it's a sign of having complexes.
Zal - The "mard salary" and "pedar salary" traditions are a natural part of human evolution, and may also stem from our religious values - But I would actually like to say that it stems way back to the first humans - it's part of human nature. The men were physically stronger and had other qualities that made them the hunters and providers for the family, so naturally they became the alpha male in the flock. We humans function pretty much like wolves in that sense. The same was true for Europe some 100 years ago. There's nothing wrong with it - it's part of our civilization's evolution. ____As for Tehranis feeling superior - first of all one cannot generalize. Secondly, it's quite typical for capital cities almost anywhere in the world to feel a bit superior. I live in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and Stockholmers are very unpopular almost anywhere else in Sweden because they're accused of feeling superior to other Swedes. Furthermore, Tehran is a huge melting pot of people coming from all corners of Iran. Some say that 50% of Tehranis have Azari roots. So I would advise you to chill a bit and not be extensively critical.
So it seems like the compatriots here are so full of themselves and unfounded pride that they can not hear the voice of reason. Why the numskulls don't get it is beyond me. Painting a person's face black is not politically or morally correct in this country. If you don't get it maybe you should be searching Google for history of race in this country. How arrogant to feel that Iranians can do no wrong. Mr. payday loans!! read my post again, i said he was probably an African slave who was sold to entertain..do you have any evidence where Haji Firooz came from and why he is painted black or you just like to "fohsh" which reveals your character more than any useful information!
#1. Haji firooz is black and "Aryan roots" takes Satanical dictatorship, plutocratic PRIDE in superiority as NAZIS, and in fact "Iran" was called "Persia" before Mr. Hitler took his "PROUD" stance in selling us out out of our original name, let alone identity and culture, losing all sense of democracy and getting Mossadegh kicked out, and into Imperialistic HELL and confusion.
#2. Indeed it is the deluded and arrogant "PRIDE" that makes one run away like an I-RAN-IAN, constantly showing off with clothes, cars, and materialism B.S. yet no understanding and no action, no practical truth to the "PRIDE" and in fact the PRIDE is a LIE a Satanically deceived way to boast and stand above others like a fool before a ditch, sadly so GOD help us to TRUTH, Selfless LOVE, Bless the SUFI.
#3. African culture is been the rape of the earth by all the non- black people so "PROUD" and "Superior" , and a deep deep story that has still "never been told". If you can dare put Pride aside and not judge me and my knowledge and Africa before even knowing anything hence being "prejudice" just like we're talking about Shahram, and actually care with open Heart and mind, please please do look up words of Marcus Garvey, Emperor Haile Selassie I, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Nesta Marley, then you would understand the deep humanity, beauty, wisdom, strength, honor, poetry, science and ONENESS of LOVE and Heart of God as those names you mentioned, reflection of the Mighty Lion of Judah as Buddha as Rasta as Krishna as Allah, AS ONE!
…see, Shahram, you aren't even understanding what you're saying because of this BEAST CALLED PRIDE, all these people (Molana, Sa'di, etc.etc.) ever reflected is LOVE, BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES OF HUMAN EGO, and because of "nationalism" All you do is boast WITHOUT the toast, you see, you wear the garment but you don't got the substance, you don't have the Spirit, and you don't get what they say, this is what I call nonsense and precicely Our problem, you see this?
Ok, so, Please whatever is so "obvious" to you, and you know, why don't you say it??
you really do have more sense than these fools here zal thanks for your integrity to speak up. however i have to say there is no such thing as "politically correct" …politics is evil, superiority and violence and inhumanity of the EGO. remember poli means many and tics are blood sucking creatures.
Dear Shahram, you are absolutely right in your reply to my comment, and about the openness and hospitality of Iranians. But this hospitality is only towards the Westerners, against whom Iranians do indeed have a sense of inferiority, as you rightly say. But does this not underline the fact that race is so important to Iranians?! Isn't this why they are all having ridiculously small noses (and blond hair) etc? Isn't this why they have denounced their culture for what West has to offer (e.g. exchange heavenly ghormehsanzi for revolting McDonalds etc). Look at the attitude of Iranians towards the Afghans in Iran. Are they treating the Afghans, who have served and helped Iran economically like no other people that I know of, with the same hospitality and good manners? For info, I have lived in Britain for 30 years. If you think the British are racist now, you should have seen them 25 years ago. However, the new generation are completely different. Nevertheless, even though the old generation have been racist, at least they have pretended and displayed tolerance and not caused hurt by turning themselves into a black person that displays a certain character and caricature.
Dear Amir, the history of Haaji Firooz goes back to a time when slaves were used in Iran (not in Islam) for entertainment. They had a funny accent, and hence the reason for Haaji Firooz's weird accent (neither sure nor interested to know how Haaji Firoozes sound in New York!). Needless to say, they were also regarded as stupid and backward, lacking knowledge and understanding, and this is why a version of Haaji Firooz, called Mobaarak, is stupid and does ridiculous things in plays and pantomimes.
I think it's a great thing that Iranian members of NY society have put their efforts into creating the Persian Parade. There is not a huge amount of Persian culture rampant throughout this country so it is refreshing to see a celebration of the culture, especially in a place like NYC where it will be seen by many people and people of other cultures can experience the Persian customs.