By Syma Sayyah, Tehran
I had not been to a
Sofreh for a long time and then I was invited to three different
Sofreh-e-Nazr ceremonies in one week, all held by second cousins of mine.
All of them are traditional
westernized Iranian families.
Sofreh is a
Persian word which technically means spread but when used in conversation it
means a cloth, simple or grand, usually spread on the floor on top of the
carpet, on which food is served, and nazr means a wish or a vow which one
makes with God.
There are at least
two other types of Sofreh that I know of. The Sofreh-e Haft-Sin celebrates
the coming of the Norouz or New Year.
It is one of oldest Iranian traditions left to us from Zoroastrian
times. This sofreh is displayed
from about a week before the new year until 13 days afterwards and has seven
items which start with letter S in Persian (such as apple-sib, vinegar-serkeh,
garlic-sirr, coin-sekeh etc.) plus the book of prayer, a mirror, some
sabzeh-grass which families grow specially for the Norouz and a few
goldfish swimming in a small bowl among many other things.
Another type is the
Sofr-e-aghd. When a couple
in Iran
choose to marry traditionally, then one of the most important parts of this
tradition is that they make their vows sitting at the edge of their
sofreh-aghd, which is spread on the floor. At the top of the sofreh there
is a large mirror and two large candle sticks placed to the sides of the mirror
which the bride later takes to her new home, and this set is considered a very
important symbolic item. There are
many other items on the sofreh including nun sangak (a large size brown flat bread),
nuts, honey and empty egg shells all beautifully decorated, and a small stool
for the bride and groom to sit on in front of the Koran, for their marriage vows
to be made. There are many people,
mostly ladies who are specialized in preparing sofreh-aghd and it is now
a very serious business. I have
seen many wonderful sofreh-aghd in my time and the best that I remember
was for my younger sister Mina’s wedding 27 years ago, as she has such a
beautiful and grand taste.
The Sofreh-nazr
is a religious tradition among Iranian Shia women and brings the ladies
attending a sense of comfort, togetherness and sharing. Only women attend these
ceremonies which some believe is a ritual left to us from our Zoroastrian
ancestors. .
Prayers are made to
God through one of the imams. Hazrate Abul
Fazl (the half brother of Imam Hossein who was very brave and suffered great
pains and like Imam Hossein was a martyr in Kabala) and Imam Hassan the second
Shia Imam (who was a very patient, thoughtful and peace loving imam) are the two
most common holy and pious ones in whose name sofrehs are held. By the way many
items on Imam Hassan’s sofreh are traditionally green, sometimes including the
food offered. I was told by a
friend that those who make a wish to Hazrate Abul Fazl are usually granted their
wishes quickly.
A women will make a
nazr when she has an
important wish or request to be fulfilled and then she makes a vow with God that
if her wish comes true (hajatt is granted) she will hold a sofreh ceremony in the name of the imam or pious
one in whose name the vow was made. It is then that women are invited to the
sofreh. By tradition
friends, family and neighbors are invited to share this event. The hostess prepares more fruit, nuts and
food than is needed as it is given to the guests to take away and to share with
their family who could not be there. It is strongly believed among the great
majority of people that the food, fruits, nuts at a sofreh-nazr are
blessed and can bring goodness, and many while eating it will make a nazr
(wish) themselves so the tradition continues. Also if you help during such a ceremony
it is believed that your own wishes may come true sooner and better.
The ceremony usually
takes place in the afternoon to end with dinner or in the morning to end with
lunch. It starts with reciting some
prayers. Usually there are booklets
with the prayers in Arabic that are offered to guests who wish to read them,
although I was amazed that many knew the verses by heart. A lady (khanoum) who can read the Koran and
Arabic prayers well leads the prayers and often receives a donation which they
may use for charity.
At the end of the
ceremonies usually prayers are said in Persian for the souls of all loved ones,
and for the wellbeing of those who are ill, as well for the hostess and her
family. I was surprised that in the
three sofreh that I attended, they also prayed for the young to stay on
the straight and narrow path, and to find employment. Finally prayers were said seeking God
and his holy believers’ help for all present to stay pious, healthy and
good.
A sofreh can be
simple or very elaborate. Contrary
to what may be believed, it is common among rich and poor alike, it is just that
those who are better off invite more guests and have a bigger and more elaborate
sofreh in terms of decorations or types of food served.
Generally one can
expect to have some Aash
or soup. Halva is also served, which is
made of special flour, sugar and saffron. Bread, cheese, and greens are put there
as well as fruits and nuts (ajile moshgell gosha) which are put in small
satin cases and are given to each guest to take home with them. Afterwards food is served which may be
something simple or rich.
I have a few
pictures from the sofreh that I would like to share with you.
