The yard was washed and the house was cleaned up. The mother and the daughters were preparing the food in the kitchen. All the family anticipated the arrival of the guests. There was a knock on the door, the host went to open the door and greet the guests. The whole family welcomed the guests with expressions such as" You honored us" and "You made us happy" and ushered them into the reception room.
The guests sat around the room and the host entertained them with sharbat, (a drink made of fruit and sugar served with ice and water) or with tea. The hookahs were being prepared for smoking and meanwhile the guests enjoyed themselves by talking to each other in small groups.
Now it is the time for serving dinner. A quadrangular piece of cloth which is called sofre is spread on the carpet. Pieces of bread, dishes of herbs such as basil, mint, cumin, cloves, and coriander, plates, dishes of Iranian rice decorated with saffron are arranged on the sofre. Bowls of broth and stew, appetizers and desserts such as halva, dates, melon are brought too. Carafes of doogh (yogurt drink with ice) or sharbat are put on the sofre. Every one starts eating with the name of God and finishes it by saying:" Thanks God".
After dinner fruit and nuts are served and the talking will be resumed. When the party comes to its end the host sees the guests off and every one after spending such a good time returns to his/her home.
The guests sat around the room and the host entertained them with sharbat, (a drink made of fruit and sugar served with ice and water) or with tea. The hookahs were being prepared for smoking and meanwhile the guests enjoyed themselves by talking to each other in small groups.
Now it is the time for serving dinner. A quadrangular piece of cloth which is called sofre is spread on the carpet. Pieces of bread, dishes of herbs such as basil, mint, cumin, cloves, and coriander, plates, dishes of Iranian rice decorated with saffron are arranged on the sofre. Bowls of broth and stew, appetizers and desserts such as halva, dates, melon are brought too. Carafes of doogh (yogurt drink with ice) or sharbat are put on the sofre. Every one starts eating with the name of God and finishes it by saying:" Thanks God".
After dinner fruit and nuts are served and the talking will be resumed. When the party comes to its end the host sees the guests off and every one after spending such a good time returns to his/her home.
1 comment:
Hi Farzaneh, what a detailed and colorful description of a traditional party in Iran. It made me picture every detail and I could imagine all the steps in the preparation and then reception of the guests. It is amazing how food is a key element in celebrations all over the world and how this tgraditions are kept for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Berta (an EFL Venezuelan teacher in Toronto)
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