Mazanderani, Tabri in Iran

Introduction / History

The Mazanderani live in northern Iran's Mazandaran province, bordering the Caspian Sea. It is there that early Iranian civilization flourished. Historically, this province had been invaded by outsiders, beginning with the Mongols in the 1200s and 1300s. In 1723, the region was conquered by the Russian Empire. The coast of the province is dominated by marshy plains. Farther inland, it merges into the highlands. Although the province is strategically located on the Caspian Sea, the coast lacks good natural harbors. This has forced them to build an artificial harbor.

The Mazanderani are an ethnic mix of Turkic tribes, Armenians, and Russian immigrants. Other smaller groups include the Qadikolahi and the Palavi. The language of the majority, also called Mazanderani (or Palari), is closely related to Farsi, the official language of Iran.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Agriculture dominates the economy of the Mazandaran region. Most Mazanderani are settled farmers who grow crops such as rice, wheat, barley, tea, fruits and cotton. They also raise cattle. In addition to farming, the Mazanderani are famous for raising Arabian horses. Other jobs for the Mazanderani people are in the cement, tile or cotton industries.

The coastal areas provide jobs in the fisheries. This region harvests some of the finest caviar in the world. Fisheries compete for space with a growing tourist industry. Tens of thousands of Iranian and foreign tourists come to Mazandaran to enjoy the coastal climate. There are lots of motels and restaurants that provide employment. The Mazandaran people have contributed to Iranian society in many ways. Some are great athletes, especially wrestlers. They have provided actors, mathematicians, poets and politicians.

Since most of the people in the Mazandaran province are Muslim, their society is organized according to the guidelines of traditional Islamic communities. The family is the central social unit and is led by the father.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Although Mazandaran was the last province in Iran to be converted to Islam, they are now virtually all Shia Muslim. Shia practices tend toward the ecstatic. They affirm human free will, and they differ with the Sunni Muslims in matters of law and ceremony. Unlike the Sunnis, Shias believe that Mohammad's successor should be someone in his bloodline, namely Ali. Because some of their leaders have faced violent, martyr’s death, Shias understand that a righteous man can be killed by the unrighteous. For this reason, Christ’s death on a Roman cross isn’t as foreign to them as it is to Sunnis.

To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

What Are Their Needs?

There are some Christ followers among the Mazanderani people. More can be reached by Farsi speaking Christian believers who come as tourists.

Prayer Points

Pray for a complete Bible for the Mazanderani people of Iran.
Pray for the Lord to give Mazanderani elders dreams of the holy and righteous savior.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong churches that will plant more churches among the Mazanderani.
Pray for Iranian Christ followers to reach out to the Mazanderani people with the gospel.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Mazanderani people a desire for true holiness, found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project