"ChaharshanbehSouri"

March 18, 2003 7pm

(Click for Pics)

Jump over bonfires in the street, Persian Style, at the 2000 block of Durant Avenue in Berkeley!

Report by: Conrad Corpus

On March 18th, 2003 the Persian Center in Berkeley, California bade another farewell to winter and celebrated the coming of spring in the ancient zoroastrian tradition of Chahharshanbeh Souri. Chaharshanbeh Souri is the ancient ritual of renewal where on the eve (Tuesday night)of the last Wednesday (Chaharshanbeh) of winter, the coming of the New Year is celebrated with the Spring Equinox.

This year's annual Chaharshanbeh Souri event in Berkeley drew Bay Area Iranian-Americans and other curious celebrants by the thousands under a clear, cool evening with the sounds of DJ Dr. T piercing the night's stillness. The usually quiet neighborhood street of the 2000 block of Durant became for the night a live scene of dancing, clapping, socializing and the giggles and laughter of children leaping over bonfires. Both old and young, those who braved the fires were then rewarded with the evening's gastronomic delights of kabobs and the traditional soup, "ash-e reshteh". And of course, no evening could be complete without serving steaming hot tea and enticing Persian sweets.

One of the highlights of the evening was the appearance of Honorable Mayor Tom Bates of the City of Berkeley, along with council member Linda Mayo who embraced the crowd and reiterated their pride in having Persian Center as part of the diverse community in Berkeley. Mark Rhoades, Head of Zoning of City of Berkeley, also shared their sentiment, and his experience in Iran, as a delegate of the Wheelchair Foundation which disributed 480 wheelchairs there. Truly, this was an experience for anyone to bear witness to and join in the festivities as it has been continuing for the last 3000 years.

As part of the celebration, a number of rituals take place to promote good health and fortune through out the coming new year. One of the most important and symbolic ritual of the Chaharshanbeh Souri is the leaping of bonfires while chanting "Zardi e man az toh, Sorkhi e toh az man" - My yellowness on to you, Your redness on to me; which means to rid oneself of weakness and pallor in exchange for the fire's warmth and energy. Also, this is a where the year's past sins are burned away and a new slate is drawn.