48 ms·

@yazaddaruvala are you following the Indian branch of Zoroastrianism or the Iranian? How different are the traditions?

• yazaddaruvala 4y ago
  I was born in India and that Indo-Persian (Parsi) culture is what helped raise me. My understanding is Iranian Zoroastrians and Indian Zoroastrians have very different traditions. Many in common but many that are an inherited from their 1000 years apart. Specifically, Zoroastrians (both Indian and Iranian) have a few annual traditions (https://theguibordcenter.org/zoroastrian-holy-days-and-observances/ https://theguibordcenter.org/zoroastrian-holy-days-and-obser...), and like 4 life-milestone traditions (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navjote https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navjote, Wedding, Death, etc). I believe all of these are very similar. There are many differences tho, mostly based on "sibling-culture". For example, my cousin recently had a wedding (to another Indian Zoroastrian) and there were a lot of Indian traditions included (Iranians would not do these). Indian Zoroastrians celebrate a lot of Indian Hindu traditions (e.g. Holy, Diwali, etc) and similarly I'm sure (I don't know for fact) Iranian Zoroastrians celebrate a lot of Iranian Muslim traditions (e.g. Eid). Even the choice of clothing is more inspired by their surroundings than their religion. However, the do share a common tradition of wearing particular undergarments (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedreh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedreh, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushti https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushti). Food again has a similar story. Mostly from their surroundings, but some commonality. e.g. Parsi's use a lot of spices in their cooking (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsi_cuisine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsi_cuisine). But the dessets are typically more middle-eastern ("Common desserts include sev (vermicelli), ravo (sweet semolina pudding) and malido (a nutty fudge). Also popular are faluda and kulfi, both of which are adoptions from the cuisines of the Irani and Persian-speaking communities.") You'd find it quite difficult to find http://www.nilouferskitchen.com/2014/12/parsi-sev.html http://www.nilouferskitchen.com/2014/12/parsi-sev.html or anything similar in any Indian dessert shop, but as per my understanding shares a lot in common with "Halawat Sha'riyya" or "Sh'ariyeh be-sukkar". There is a Parsi breakfast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akuri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akuri that shares a lot in common with Menemen (Turkey) or scrambled Shakshuka. Akuri differs because it is also Indian and meant to be heavily spiced, and many times meant to be spicy. If any of you ever are in London try out https://www.dishoom.com/food-drink/ https://www.dishoom.com/food-drink/ their Akuri is NOT on point lol - its adapted for a British pallet -, but if you add a bunch of Salt and Chillies (they provide them on request) then it becomes very representative. The Keema Per Eedu is on point tho! and mixing some of that spicy sauce into their "Akuri" will also work to make representative Akuri.
  • falaki 4y ago
    Thanks for all the pointers. How common are Persian names among Indian Zoroastrians? There was a recent thread by an Iranian historian on how Achaemenid king names were forgotten in Iran. Is Proshat a common name? <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parysatis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parysatis> among Indian Parsis?
    • unmole 4y ago
      Cyrus is a fairy popular name. And I know a Darius too. Never heard of a Proshat though.
    • yazaddaruvala 4y ago
      Umm, I’d say Zoroastrian names (or ancient Persian names) are very common. It’s not clear to me that any modern “Persian” names are even similar. If you’d like a list: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Zoroastrianism https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Zoroastriani.... But note while my name is unchanged from the list many of them can be variations. For example, “Farman” is not a modern name. The variation “Farhan” is extremely common. So small things like that.