Page 139 - صبا 06

Traces of Shamanism in Shahnameh

Nasim keramat 1

Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language & Literature, open University,
Al-Mustafa International University of Qom, Qom, Iran

Abstract

The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi is one of the most esteemed works of literature
and culture in Iran, which not only narrates the tales of heroism and national pride of
the Iranians but is also filled with wisdom, myths, beliefs, and reflects the culture
and lifestyle of the people who lived in ancient Iran. The reflection of rituals such as
Mithraism and Zoroastrianism in the Shahnameh, considering they were among the
ancient religions of the Iranians, is entirely natural. However, the presence of traces
of ancient and widespread practices such as shamanism, which was prevalent
kilometers away from Iranian soil, is surprising. What be discussed in this article is

an attempt to show the similarities or shared aspects of some shamanic rituals and
beliefs with what is presented in the Shahnameh as a national document of the
Iranians. To this end, five instances of shared or closely related rituals and beliefs are
mentioned. Based on these similarities, speculations regarding the reasons for these
similarities are also presented, which require further research and deeper studies in
this field and may provide insights into recovering the historical and ideological
background of Iranians in ancient times, prior to Mithraism and others.
Key words: Shahnameh, shamanism, similarities.

1 Email: Nassim.karamat@yahoo.com.