The terraced houses and wooden balconies decorated with colorful geranium flowers are the first images that come to mind when we hear the name Masuleh. Stay with Saad News to get familiar with the customs and traditions of the people of Masuleh.
About 60 kilometers from Rasht, in the 35 kilometers of Fuman city, we reach the terraced city of Masuleh. For escaping the city's hustle and bustle and relieving exhaustion, Masuleh is the best choice; because in the narrow, step-like streets of this city, there is no sign of any vehicle, and every morning you wake up to the sound of nature’s silence, the misty scenery, and the smell of local bread. Masuleh, with its yellow terraced houses nestled in the misty forest, is known as "the most beautiful terraced city of Iran" and the "living historical city." Some people believe the name Masuleh comes from the nearby mountain "Mah Salar," while another belief suggests that the name Masuleh comes from two words: "Mas," meaning mountain, and "Uleh," meaning high, thus translating it as "high mountain."
🌄History of Masuleh Village
The beautiful Masuleh village dates back 800 to 1,000 years, but the buildings present today in the village are no older than the Pahlavi, Qajar, and Zandieh periods. Masuleh, which is now known as a tourist attraction, was once a place where people lived. The exact reason for the migration of people to this village is unclear, but there are several stories. Some believe that in the 3rd century AH, Awn bin Mohammad bin Ali asked a shepherd to bury him in this area after his death. After this, the shepherds gathered around his tomb and gradually began constructing buildings in this area, thus the old Masuleh took shape. Others believe that a massive earthquake in 890 AH led to the migration of people to this region. The spread of the plague is another possibility for why people settled in Masuleh.
🌄Culture of the People of Masuleh
The people of Masuleh primarily speak Talysh, although they themselves call this language "Mousali," which is very similar to Talysh. The people of Masuleh, like other people of Gilan, are very kind and hospitable, and tradition holds a special place among them. The colorful, beautiful traditional clothes of Gilan are often worn by the women of Masuleh. The observance of the Muharram and Safar rituals in this place is very lively and captivating, drawing many visitors to Masuleh every year. Cooking delicious, fragrant local dishes is common among the women of Masuleh. The locals of Masuleh have a great love for cooking traditional food, making handicrafts, and creating dolls, so if you visit this area, you’ll see their handmade crafts in shops.
🌄Customs and Traditions of the People of Masuleh
Like other residents of this land, the people of Masuleh adhere to special customs and traditions, some of which are highlighted here. In separate articles, we will discuss them in more detail:
The "Arous Guleh" Ritual before Nowruz: Arous Guleh is a traditional ceremony held to welcome the Persian New Year, during which a performance group goes around announcing the arrival of spring. The timing of the performance varies, but it generally lasts between a week and a month, starting from the second half of Esfand. The group performs in front of each house in the yard, and they receive gifts such as rice, eggs, sweets, and sometimes money from the hosts.
The "Alam Bandan" Ritual during Muharram: At sunset on the 6th of Muharram, the people of Masuleh prepare for the historical-religious "Alam Bandan" ceremony, which has been held for about eight centuries. The mourners make noise with cymbals and trumpets on the roofs and courtyards of the neighborhood mosques to inform the areas and the mourners about the ceremony’s start. People gather, and mourning groups move from one alley to another, performing chest-beating. These groups then enter the courtyard of the Imamzadeh Awn bin Ali, where the oldest flag bearer hands over the flags of the mosques. What distinguishes the Masuleh flags is the vertical shape of their poles.
🎄Final Words
Masuleh can be considered the gem of Gilan. By traveling to Masuleh and strolling through its terraced streets, you’ll experience a unique atmosphere. In addition to the terraced houses, the charming Masuleh market, waterfalls, and all the attractions mentioned here, one must also talk about the hospitable people of Masuleh. They are kind and welcoming people who have always received tourists with warmth, offering them tea, and some even allow visitors to stay in their traditional homes.
