Click on the flags below to learn more about other countries.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
Iranian Culture
Family Life
Family life is very important in Iran. The rules vary by region, religion, and culture, but generally the oldest male is the head of the household. Through much of the twentieth century until the 1979 revolution, women enjoyed a lot of freedom. They worked outside the home in prestigious jobs. In the more modern and educated families, men and women share the power and the responsibilities equally. Children are taught to respect the authority of their parents and older relatives. They are the center of their families. Among the middle and upper classes, corporal punishment is looked down upon.
Beliefs
Islam is the main religion of Iran. As a result, it is taught in schools. However, there are followers of other religions in Iran, such as Baha'is, Christians, Zoroastrians, Mandaeans, and Jews. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and it is native to Iran. Islamic law, or sharia, has been incorporated into the legal system, but it is not always the supreme law of the land.
Language
The main language of Iran is Farsi. Farsi, also called Persian, is an entirely different language than Arabic. It belongs to the Indo-Iranian family of languages, while Arabic is a Semitic language. Arabic and English are both taught in the schools. Many Iranians also speak other languages like Turkish and Kurdish. There are lots of different accents in the various regions of Iran.
Dress
Iranian men wear the same style of clothes as men in the U.S. or Europe. Women have to keep their arms, legs, and hair covered. They wear scarves called hijab and dresses as long as their knees. However, their clothing can be any color, and they can show their individuality by wearing makeup and jewelry. Inside the home, women can dress much more casually.
Food
Rice is the staple of the Iranian diet and it is served with all of the other foods. Fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, and spinach are present at every meal. There are lots of different fruits in both savory and sweet dishes. We often add dried fruits like prunes and raisins and fresh fruits like pomegranates, plums, and quince to our dishes. Nuts are commonly used to flavor dishes, as are spices, such as cinnamon and saffron, and herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, and basil. Kabobs and stews are usually served over rice. We also eat dairy products like cheese and yogurt. In fact, doogh, a yogurt-based drink, is drunk almost as often as tea. We have many Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian restaurants. Fast-food, including pizza and hamburgers, has become increasingly popular, especially among young people.
Recreation
Soccer, table tennis, basketball, and volleyball are very popular and they are the main sports played in schools. We watch almost every movie that comes out here and we buy dvds for very low prices. Although fundamentalist religious leaders and politicians try to discourage western influence, people still find a way to listen to and watch what they want. Rap music and metal are widely available. We get all of the European and most of the U.S. television channels via satellite.
