The Heirs of Saffron and Salt is a visual ethnographic project focused on the cultural and linguistic geography of Iran and the Persian language to preserve and showcase in high video quality the performative and musical heritage of the greater Iran, including but not limited to the current political borders of Iran and many neighboring regions.
In this light, the political borders become obsolete and give way to a more ethnocentric and linguistic-centered landscape.
What makes creating this series a necessity is the huge lack of visual documentation in the field
of folklore music and Performing arts, as well as other aspects of the life of the people in these
areas. The depth of the issue is revealed by a simple search on the web, there is hardly any
visual documentation of the prominent ancient celebrations still practiced today like the Sade or
the Gahanbars, or the local Ta’zie which is the theatrical reenactment of the events that
happened to an 8th-century Shiite saint and his disciples. Rituals that are still very alive and
practiced. With thousands of small and large rituals, human-centered puppet shows,
magical-medical practices, rain dances, sun dances, mystic agricultural dances, and rituals, the
potential is endless. However, the clock is ticking on many of these practices, and those
masters who practice them, as many have passed away without being recorded. The Heir of
Saffron and Salt aims to set the bar high on visual quality standards in these recordings since
the quality recording is as important as the quality of the in-depth ethnographic research
component of the show.
Our story begins in our childhood in Iran where we participated in many of the local ritualistic
practices without knowing the significance, being part of something that is almost gone at the
present time.
Now we have the chance – in many cases for the last time- to capture many of the local
ceremonies, nature callings, shamanic rituals and many more throughout the difference ethno-linguistic parts of this region of the world.
Your donations can help us extend this mission further and deeper.
You can collaborate with the Saffron and Salt project by helping us capture the rituals and ceremonies of your region. For more information email us at:
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved – Heirs of Saffron and Salt
You can collaborate with the Saffron and Salt project by helping us capture the rituals and ceremonies of your region. For more information email us at:
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved – Heirs of Saffron and Salt