Saed News: Aroos Goleh is a traditional performance held in Gilan to welcome the spring.
In recent years, before the arrival of the new year (from the second decade of Esfand onwards), a completely traditional ceremony was held in most of the villages and settlements in the eastern region of Gilan, performed by some authentic artists, known as "Aroos Goleh." Aroos Goleh (literally, "Bride of Flowers" or "Bride Goleh") is also known by other names in the Gileki dialect, such as Aroos Goli, Aroos Goleh, Pirbabu, and Aroos Gholeh. This performance, in addition to Gilan province, was also performed in certain parts of Mazandaran province. Aroos Goleh was, in fact, a mobile theatrical group, and its performance was field-based. The Aroos Goleh performance has roots in ancient mythological rituals related to the arrival of spring, where symbols of the old and new years battle each other.
Today, this ritual is only performed in special local and ritual ceremonies in a limited number of rural areas, especially in the mountainous regions of Gilan. In this performance, the roles of the Giant (Ghoul), Pirbabu, and Naz Khanom are played by performers. Pirbabu (or Pirbaba) is someone who disguises himself as an old man with makeup, while the Giant is a man who wears a hat made of dried rice stems (Kuloosh, Kolesh, Kolosh) on his head, and Naz Khanom's role is performed by a young woman wearing traditional Gilanian female attire. The theme of this joyful performance, which is accompanied by live local music, depicts a fight between the Giant and Pirbabu over Naz Khanom, which eventually leads to a wrestling match between them. This wrestling is displayed in the style of Gilani wrestling, a traditional sport in Gilan. The Giant symbolizes winter and darkness, while Pirbabu represents greenery, spring, and the blooming of flowers in nature.
The performance of Aroos Goleh shows the battle between "the Giant" and "Pirbabu" over "Naz Khanom," which culminates in a wrestling match between the two. The result of this struggle is the victory of "Pirbabu," and with the arrival of spring, he dances happily with Naz Khanom, bringing the performance to an end. The ceremony is accompanied by joyful poems that bring happiness to the audience. Both the "Giant" and "Pirbabu" are in love with "Aroos Goleh." However, the difference is that the Giant represents winter and darkness, while Pirbabu represents gardening and aims to bring spring back to people and nature. The Giant and Pirbabu dance together. The Giant dances toward the bride, and it is evident from the bride's demeanor that she is tired of the Giant of winter. Pirbabu blocks the Giant's way and prevents him from reaching the bride. The Giant, in frustration, turns around and attacks Pirbabu. Pirbabu, holding a handkerchief in one hand and a needle in the other to defend himself, seeks refuge with the people, making gestures to entertain the crowd. Eventually, the Giant, defeated and exhausted from Pirbabu's resistance, gives up, and the bride sits down, marking a happy ending for the people.
Roles:
Sarkhan (the leader): The singer of poems, narrator, and director.
Sazzan: Musicians who play local instruments such as the surna, daireh, and naghareh, performing the music for the play.
Vagir Koonan: The chorus of singers who follow the group and increase in number as they move through the crowd.
Ketra Zanan: A few people who, in coordination with the rhythm of the musicians, hit two wooden sticks or ladles together.
Ghoul (Giant): A mythical, large figure, sometimes adorned with two cow horns and a blackened face, wearing a hat made from rice stalks.
Pirbabu: A man disguised with old clothes and white beard makeup, sometimes with his face blackened and a cone-shaped cardboard hat. He symbolizes an old man with a stick who creates humorous gestures in front of the Ghoul and Naz Khanom.
Naz Khanom (Aroos Goleh): The bride, dressed in traditional Gilanian attire, with bells or handkerchiefs she uses during her dance, occasionally mimicking sewing and embroidery.
Other Roles: Kasa Khanom (a guardian of Naz Khanom), Kol Barchesh (a porter), Takal (supporting roles), all of whom sing in unison: "Aroos Goli biyardim / Joone dili biyardim / Khone khah tere nayardim / Te pishere biyardim."
Conclusion:
Today, this majestic ceremony is held only in a limited number of rural areas, especially in the mountainous regions of Gilan. Through this performance, everyone wishes for the departure of darkness and the arrival of spring, bringing with it love and greenery, thus symbolizing the old Persian saying "When the devil leaves, the angel arrives," spreading fresh life and vitality everywhere.
