A lamb and a kid

This is the story of a lamb and a kid, and a wolf. Folk stories (metīl) were recounted when people gathered in someone’s house, especially in the winter months, and when they were doing repetitive tasks like de-shelling acorns to make acorn bread flour. Some men and women were known as especially good story tellers. There are many genres of stories. Metīl are more imaginary and fanciful than dāstān (an account of something that happened - or might have happened), and more pithy and poetic than afsāneh (epics).Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

Local song

Just a few men and women in the villages were well known for their voice and ability to sing these local songs. The songs were sung when people gathered together in someone’s house in the evening, tired from work, and at times of sadness and happiness.Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

Chest beating ritual

In the month of Moharram, when Imām Hossein and his family were killed in Karbalā, from 1st to 8th in the evening around 7pm, men proceed in one group around the village, chanting and beating their chests. One man leads the chant and the others answer. They are led by a boy holding a flag (parcham-e ‘āshurā). On 9th-10th everything in Iran is closed and they spend the whole day from morning to night in procession chanting and beating their chests. The women watch and cry.Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

The story of the giant and the girl cousin

Folk stories (metīl) were recounted when people gathered in someone’s house, especially in the winter months, and when they were doing repetitive tasks like de-shelling acorns to make acorn bread flour. Some men and women were known as especially good story tellers. There are many genres of stories. Metīl are more imaginary and fanciful than dāstān (an account of something that happened - or might have happened), and more pithy and poetic than afsāneh (epics).Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

Sister, sister, what have you done?

Folk stories (metīl) were recounted when people gathered in someone’s house, especially in the winter months, and when they were doing repetitive tasks like de-shelling acorns to make acorn bread flour. Some men and women were known as especially good story tellers. There are many genres of stories. Metīl are more imaginary and fanciful than dāstān (an account of something that happened - or might have happened), and more pithy and poetic than afsāneh (epics).Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

Sāber and Little Ghoul

Folk stories (metīl) were recounted when people gathered in someone’s house, especially in the winter months, and when they were doing repetitive tasks like de-shelling acorns to make acorn bread flour. Some men and women were known as especially good story tellers. There are many genres of stories. Metīl are more imaginary and fanciful than dāstān (an account of something that happened - or might have happened), and more pithy and poetic than afsāneh (epics).Materials collected during field research for a D.Phil (Oxford University) in Iran in 1974 and 1975/6, and during short return visits in 1992, 1995, 1996. Audio recordings include: folk stories, music and songs, rituals, people’s own historical recollections

Narasimha, Lord of Transitions, Transformations, and Theater Festivals: God and Evil in Hindu Cosmology, Myth, and Practice

This paper focuses on the multi-faceted nature of the divine depicted in Narasimha and the unique perspectives on God and evil offered by the myths of Narasimha, which is also subliminally represented within the religious practice and performance traditions associated with Narasimha