Persians

*Population estimates for 1994

Persians (self-designation “farsi,” “irani”) belong to the Indo-Mediterranean race of the European race. They speak Persian language, the believers are Muslim-Shiites.

Old Iranian tribes penetrated the Iranian territory at the end of the second century BC. The Arabic conquest in the seventh century brought the Islam faith as well as the influence of the Arabic language and culture. The Arabs, Turks, and Mongols participated in the ethnic history of the Persians. During the middle of the nineteenth century, the formation of the Persian nationality had began.

The traditional occupation of the Persian people was agriculture. The making of carpets, wools, metal goods, and ivory encrustations were their main handicrafts. The traditional dress for the men consisted of a white shirt with a sleeveless vest or jacket and black trousers. Women’s national dress was a gown, trousers, a jacket, and a short pleated skirt. Outdoors they wore wide black trousers (as worn by some eastern people) with sown-in-stockings called yashmak that covered the whole figure.

The family system is the same as the Arabic style. The traditions of the Mohammed rights are still in force to this day. The most solemn holiday of these people is the remembrance day of Shiite Imam Hussein. Other Islam holidays are the New Year celebrations and the Novruz. This is celebration of last for thirteen days after the vernal equinox. It is accompanied by traditional fire-makings and festive gatherings in the streets. Classic Iranian poetry is connected with the rich Persian folklore; while the epic plots and legends about bogatyr Rustam still exist.