Photos by Amir Ali Javadian (source: ISNA)

Iran is a diverse country consisting of people of many religions and ethnic backgrounds cemented by the Persian culture. 70% of present-day Iranians are Iranic peoples, native speakers of Iranian branches of the Indo-European languages. The majority of the population speaks the official Persian language, and other Iranian languages or dialects. In addition Arabic is spoken in Southwestern Iran, and Turkic dialects, (i.e. Azeri, etc) are spoken in different areas in Iran. The main ethnic groups are Persians (51%), Azeris (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (8%), Kurds (7%), Arabs (3%), Baluchi (2%), Lurs (2%), Turkmens (2%), Laks, Qashqai, Armenians, Persian Jews, Georgians, Assyrians, Circassians, Tats, Mandaeans, Gypsies, Brahuis, Hazara, Kazakhs and others (1%). (source: wikipedia)

Iran's Ethnic Groups (click map to see higher resolution)
Map by BBC; Sources: CIA World Factbook, www.citypopulation.de, GlobalSecurity,
1996 Iran Census, Petroleum Economist, Times Atlas

Various ethnic groups or people of different regions of Iran have their own traditional weddings ceremonies.  The photos presented here capture some of these ceremonies.

Related Articles:

• Photos: Turkmen Wedding in Gonbad-e Qabus, Iran
• Photos: "Gooleh" Wedding Ceremonies in Gilan
• Tehran gallery to exhibit Iranian wedding photos

Traditional Iranian wedding ceremony depicted in a teahouse painting by Ahmad Khalili
(click image to see high resolution)

Traditional Iranian wedding ceremony depicted in a teahouse painting by Abbas Boloukifar
(click image to see high resolution)

... Payvand News - 08/29/08 ...

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