Market and Food in Iran
Introduction
Even though the Revolution returned some parts of global culture back into the time, the rapid modernization and industrialization changed many cultural aspects of Iran. However, some customs managed to be conserved and kept in their traditional ways. Some of the most representative customs are the traditional marketplace and food.
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar
In Southern Tehran lies the Grand Bazaar-a huge market that has been existed since the Persian Empire. Full of both rich and poor merchants called the Bazaaris and mainly middle-class consumers, this place sells goods in every category, from everyday needs like food and clothes to currency exchange shops (Shackle; Boesler).
However, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran has not only traded and sold goods, but also influenced the Iran as a whole in political and economic ways. It generally represented the entire middle class throughout its existence. As a result, most protests, argues, and boycotts from the middle class affected the status of the Grand Bazaar. For example, its own economic power and the resistant mind against Shah Pahlavi added fire to the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s (Shackle). Also, it was the massive demonstration in the Bazaar that forced Ahmadinejad to reduce the tax boost from 70% to 15% (Bahari). As long as the people of Iran visit this market, the influences will continue.
However, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran has not only traded and sold goods, but also influenced the Iran as a whole in political and economic ways. It generally represented the entire middle class throughout its existence. As a result, most protests, argues, and boycotts from the middle class affected the status of the Grand Bazaar. For example, its own economic power and the resistant mind against Shah Pahlavi added fire to the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s (Shackle). Also, it was the massive demonstration in the Bazaar that forced Ahmadinejad to reduce the tax boost from 70% to 15% (Bahari). As long as the people of Iran visit this market, the influences will continue.
Food in Iran
Shirin Polo
Despite of many changes by rapid modernization, the Iranians keep some traditions in their everyday life, such as the traditional cuisines. Like bread in European countries and rice in Eastern Asia, Iranians eat Chelo, another word for steamed rice, as their everyday meal (Bacon, 238). Unlike Chelo, some cuisines are mostly served in special events. For example, people eat Shirin Polo, sweet banquet rice, almost only at weddings in Iran (Bacon, 254). In religious festivals and parties, one of the main delicacies is Khoresh Ghaimeh, another name for Persian lamb with split beans (Bacon, 243). All of these meals have been served throughout the Iranian history, and thus will be one of the everlasting traditions of Iran.
Works Cited
Bacon, Josephine, and Jenni Fleetwood. Food and Cooking of Africa and the Middle East. Lanham: Lorenz Books, 2005. Print.
Bahari, Maziar. “Iran Closes Shop.” Newsweek 156.4 (2010): 7. MAS Ultra-School Edition. Web. 9 Feb.2013.
Boesler, Matthew. “There is no hyperinflation in Iran-the real story is much more interesting.” Businessinsider. MongoDB, 6 Oct. 2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Kaboli, Parnian. “Shirin Polo.” Photograph. Peninsulaeatz. Wordpress, 30 Aug 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Kamshots. “Bazaar.” Photograph. Flickr, 29 March 2010. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Shackle, Samira. "Persian Facts. (Cover Story)." New Statesman 141.5109 (2012): 24. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Zand, Khashayar. “Grand Bazaar, Tehran 2/9.” Photograph. Flickr, 8 Aug 2008. Web. 9 Feb 2013.
Bahari, Maziar. “Iran Closes Shop.” Newsweek 156.4 (2010): 7. MAS Ultra-School Edition. Web. 9 Feb.2013.
Boesler, Matthew. “There is no hyperinflation in Iran-the real story is much more interesting.” Businessinsider. MongoDB, 6 Oct. 2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Kaboli, Parnian. “Shirin Polo.” Photograph. Peninsulaeatz. Wordpress, 30 Aug 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Kamshots. “Bazaar.” Photograph. Flickr, 29 March 2010. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Shackle, Samira. "Persian Facts. (Cover Story)." New Statesman 141.5109 (2012): 24. Web. 9 Feb. 2013.
Zand, Khashayar. “Grand Bazaar, Tehran 2/9.” Photograph. Flickr, 8 Aug 2008. Web. 9 Feb 2013.