Bandargah and Bushehr are the only places where women perform in Ta'ZIEH. There are so many female characters in the numerous stories that are played in the form of TA’ZIEH. These female characters are played by men with soft voices wearing long black dresses and covered faces under the Borgha.
TA'ZIEH
In Iranian cultural reference is categorized as Condolence Theater or Passion Play inspired by a historical and religious event, the tragic death of Hussein, symbolizing epic spirit and resistance.
Bandargah is a village in Howmeh Rural District, Bushehr Province.
ALI MAHMOODI AND HIS GROUP
A performer of Bandargah’s -a village in Howmeh Rural District, Bushehr Province-
ritual dramatic art of TA'ZIEH. He and his wife have made their own group. They searched over the places to find the texts and pieces of music. It is a family tradition and all the family know the techniques of singing and playing. They have a big open place in this town and every year they play the dramatic and tragic art of TA’ZIEH. TA’ZIEH is performed every year in all over Iran but Bushehr is the only place where women do play and participate in the performance. With special rules and circumstances.
But in Bushehr, women play the female roles in this tragedy.
They only play the characters on the side of the good.
They wear all black and veil their faces, with a borgha.
Their voices must not be too high.
The way they sing is something close to singing a lullaby.
TA'ZIEH
Ta‘zīye (or Ta’azyeh) is a ritual dramatic art that recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales. Each performance has four elements: poetry, music, song and motion. Some performances have up to a hundred roles, divided into historical, religious, political, social, supernatural, real, imaginary and fantasy characters. Each Ta‘zīye drama is individual, having its own subject, costumes and music. Performances are rich with symbolism, conventions, codes and signs understood by Iranian spectators, and take place on a stage without lighting or decoration. Performers are always male, with female roles being played by men, and most are amateurs who gain their living through other means but perform for spiritual rewards.
Basic Rules
Ta‘zīye (or Ta’azyeh) is a ritual dramatic art that recounts religious events, historical and mythical stories and folk tales. Each performance has four elements: poetry, music, song and motion. Some performances have up to a hundred roles, divided into historical, religious, political, social, supernatural, real, imaginary and fantasy characters. Each Ta‘zīye drama is individual, having its own subject, costumes and music. Performances are rich with symbolism, conventions, codes and signs understood by Iranian spectators, and take place on a stage without lighting or decoration. Performers are always male, with female roles being played by men, and most are amateurs who gain their living through other means but perform for spiritual rewards.
Women in Ta'zieh
There are so many female characters in the numerous stories that are played in the form of TA’ZIEH and women were not considered active members of the Ta'zieh performance ritual. Almost all women in these rituals were played by young males who have a soft voice and would wear all black and veil their faces with Borgha.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
