Code: 21399 A

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Mixed With Persian Gulf Ritual

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Mixed With Persian Gulf Ritual

TEHRAN.(Iranart) – An adaptation of the celebrated British playwright and poet William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” is on stage at Shahraz Theater in Tehran.

In “Macbeth Zar,” writer and director Ebrahim Poshtekouhi has mixed the original play with an old ritual from southern Iran, ILNA reported on its Persian website.

Zar, known as harmful wind in Iran’s southern coastal regions, is associated with the idea of possession by evil spirit widely believed among natives of the Persian Gulf regions. 

In a Zar ceremony, mostly seen in the islands of Hormuz and Qeshm, the locals follow Babazar (exorcist) and recite a chant alongside playing percussion instruments including the drum and dhol to repeal the evil spirit.

Macbeth is the story of a brave Scottish general who receives a prophecy from three witches that one day he will become king of Scotland. 

source: FINANCIAL TRIBUNE

Macbeth
Send Comment