Sanandaj
When you hear the name of Sanandaj (Kurdistan), you see the soaring mountains, the zealous courage of its people, and its pristine and lush nature.
Kurdistan is a cold land with warm-hearted people and their hospitability is well-known.
The majority of the inhabitants of this province are Kurdish speakers who speak different dialects. About Kurdish linguistics believe that Kurdish is one of the languages of the Indo-European family.
Kurdistan Province is one of the richest provinces in the country in terms of music. There are various music groups in the province and there are music professors in Tehran and other big cities of the country who come from Kurdistan province, world-known vocalists like Shahram Nazeri, his son Hafez, and all the Kamkars are Kurdish.
On making musical instruments subject, due to the development of wood and joinery industries along with the existing talent of music in this province; It has turned Kurdistan into the cradle of the country’s music.
The name Sine Dej transformed into Sanandaj, which shows that this city has deep roots in ancient Iran and the Persian empire, it means the forts of the Army that could show that this city was built for military purposes plus Sanandaj is located in the center of Abidar mountains in Zagros mountain range.
During the Safavid period, a fortress was built in Sanandaj and development began in this area from that time and reached its peak during the Qajar period.
The existence of countless mosques in the city has made Sanandaj famous as a city of mosques and minarets, and due to the countless hills of this city, it is also known as the city of a thousand hills. Nevertheless, Music became Sanandaj’s first and most important aspect, therefore, it was also registered as a “Creative City of Music” by UNESCO in 2009.
The city is bounded on the west by Mount Abidar, on the north by Mount Sheikh, and on the south by Mount Siraj.
The residents of Sanandaj speak Kurdish and speak Ardalani Kurdish dialect. The religion of the people of Sanandaj is Islam and most of them follow the Sunni sect from the Shafi’i branch and a percentage are Shiite. Other religious minorities also live in the city.
Vahdat or Qeshlaq Reservoir Dam has been constructed ten kilometers north of the city on the Qeshlaq River and has created Lake Vahdat, which provides drinking water to the people of Sanandaj.
From an industry view, Sanandaj also has something to say: Power plant, petrochemical complex, textile, shoe, leather, paper, chemical, electrical and electronic products, metal production, non-metallic mineral products, food and pharmaceutical industries are among the industries of Sanandaj.
The people of Sanandaj, in addition to industrial work, are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry.
In general, historical buildings, mosques, and mansions, old bazaars, handicrafts, very delicate and single-weave carpets with symmetrical knots known as Sunni carpets, local clothes, traditional music, folklore dances, exquisite wooden crafts with fame and prestige The world along with the beautiful nature is one of the tourist attractions of this city.
If you are looking for Sanandaj’s historical sites and attractions we must mention the Grand Mosque (remnant of the Qajar period), Abidar Amusement Park complex with several gardens and an open-air summer cinema, Sanandaj Bazaar, built in the 11th century AH, or the Asif Mansion, which is now an anthropological museum but was built during the Safavid period and was completed in later periods.
There are also Chaharbagh and Khosrowabad mansion, Vakil mansion, parts of which were built during the Zand dynasty and other parts during the Qajar period, Mushirdivan mansion, Hammam Khan, the shrines of Hajarkhatun, Pir Omar, Pir Mohammad which are located on the famous hills that we mentioned.
The old cemetery of the city is located on the hills too, Mushir mansion, Amjad Al-Ashraf mansion, the lake behind Qeshlaq dam, and Qeshlaq Bridge are just some of the sights of this historic city.
In terms of security, Sanandaj is more secure than other cities. While you may have a different religion, language or come from the other unknown side of the world like a little prince they will take care of you and befriend you.
The way the people of Kurdistan respect their traditional costumes has led to their preservation and we see they still wear them today. Still, the most luxurious type of clothing among men is hand-woven clothes and quilts.
Although Kurdish clothing looks the same at first glance, each region and area has its clothing. What they wear can be used to determine where the person belongs, it is worth mentioning the variety and harmony of traditional jewelry in Kurdish women’s clothing.
After Sanandaj which is the heartbeat of the Kurdistan region, we cannot overlook Avroman.
You should listen to the “Be Behesht Mimanad Horaman” (Avroman is like heaven) podcast on Radio Deev to get acquainted with the beauty that Kurds have created in Iranian literature and music.
Avroman, Horaman, and Oraman Takht are the names of a district in Kurdistan near Sanandaj, which is known for its different dialects in the Kurdish language. In Kurdish, they say Avroman means the land of the sun and that it why represents heaven.
The amazing region of Avroman is located in the heart of the mountains of Iran. The Sirvan and Layla rivers flow through the Avroman district.
There are also several Dervish mystical ceremonies in Sanandaj and other parts of the province which people come to see from all over the country and now from all over the world. We introduce the most famous one here.
The ceremony of Pir Shalyar, which is a thousand years old, is performed every year during the small “Cheleh” (the first 40 days of winter). On a Wednesday before February, Pir Shalyar’s wedding anniversary celebration will be held in Avroman.
In this ceremony, cows and sheep are sacrificed, Daf’s sound could be heard from miles away, and sacrificial food is distributed. The tomb of Pir Shalyar is located in this district and it is said that he had dignity and was able to heal the daughter of the king of Bukhara who was deaf and dumb and eventually he married her.
It’s something you don’t want to miss.