مردگون عَید ( عید مردگان) | Mordegun Eid
| منطقه | ارتفاعات سوادکوه، مازاندران |
| فراوانی اجرا و برگزاری | محدود (به صورت محلی) |
| زمان برگزاری | تیر ماه |
| شماره ثبت میراث ملی | ندارد |
در باور مردم طبرستان، به روزی که فریدون ضحاک را کشت و مردم را آزاد کرد، عید مردگان می‌گویند. چون در این روز سپاه فریدون و ضحاک با هم جنگیدند و تعداد زیادی از جوانان که در سپاه فریدون بودند کشته شدند، مردم طبرستان این روز را به یاد مردگان خود به سر مزار آن‌ها می‌روند و فاتحه می‌خوانند. همچنین هر خانواده ته‌چین پلو، آش ترش یا غذای مورد علاقه‌ی فرد فوت شده را می‌پزد و به نیت متوفی به فقرا و نیازمندان می‌دهد یا در بین مردم پخش می‌کند.عموماً این روز در مازندران و فیروزکوه و شهمیرزاد و شمیرانات هم جشن گرفته می‌شود. در طالقان کمی متفاوت است و در همان زمان این جشن را می‌گیرند اما این روز را به نام نوروزک یا نوروز کوچک می‌شناسند. در گرگان چهارشنبه آخر سال شمسی به سر قبر مردگانشان می‌روند و این روز را علَفه یا عرَفه می‌گویند.قدیم در شب بیست و پنجم عید ماه، در هر خانه آتش روشن می‌کردند به این نیت که سپاه فریدون که از طرف دماوند می‌آید، مسیر را برایشان مشخص کنند. با گذشت زمان این رسم تبدیل شد به اینکه بزرگان و مردم در میدان محله جمع می‌شدند و یک چوب در وسط میدان می‌کاشتند و سر چوب را گونی و پارچه می‌پیچیدند. این چوب را «بَرِم» یا «خَلَتی» می‌گفتند و یک گاو یا گوسفند هم به چوب می‌بستند. کشتی‌گیران کشتی می‌گرفتند و برنده آن گوسفند یا گاو را می‌گرفت و چوب را هم راست می‌کرد، بلند می‌کرد و با خود می‌برد.مردگون عید در بیست و ششم عید ماه تقویم طبری یا بیست و هشتم تیر ماه تقویم خورشیدی برگزار می‌شود.
Day of the Dead, or Eid-e Mordegan, is when the people of Mazandaran (Northern Iran) believe that Fereydun defeated Zahhak and liberated the people. It is said that on this day, the armies of Fereydun and Zahhak clashed, and many young men in Fereydun's army were killed. To commemorate these fallen ancestors, the people of Tabaristan visit their graves and recite Fatiha prayers. Additionally, each family prepares Tahchin Polo, Ash-e Torsh (sour soup), or the favorite dish of the deceased, offering it to the poor and people in need or distributing it among the community in honor of the departed.This day is generally celebrated in Mazandaran, Firoozkooh, Shahmirzad, and Shemiranat. In Taleghan, the celebration is slightly different but occurs around the same time, although it's known as Nowruzak or Little Nowruz. In Gorgan, people visit the graves of their deceased on the last Wednesday of the solar year, calling this day Alafe or Arafe.In the past, on the night of the 25th of Eid-e Maah (Month of Eid), fires were lit in every home, intending to guide Fereydun's army, believed to be arriving from Mount Damavand. Over time, this custom evolved into a gathering in the village square where elders and people would erect a pole in the center. The top of the pole would be wrapped with burlap and cloth. This pole was called Baram or Khalati, and a cow or sheep would be tied to it. Wrestlers would then compete, and the winner would take the sheep or cow and also raise or carry away the pole as a prize.Eid-e Mordegan is observed on the 26th of Eid-e Maah in the Tabari calendar, which corresponds to the 28th of Tir in the solar Hijri calendar (around July 19th/20th).Explanation of Terms (for added context if needed):Eid-e Mordegan (Day of the Dead): We kept the direct translation as it clearly conveys the essence of the day. You could also consider "Commemoration of the Departed" but "Day of the Dead" is more concise and evocative in English.Tabaristan: The historical name for the region of Mazandaran and surrounding areas in northern Iran.Fereydun & Zahhak: Key figures in Persian mythology from the Shahnameh epic. Fereydun is a hero who overthrew the tyrannical king Zahhak.Fatiha: The first chapter of the Quran, often recited as a prayer for the deceased.Tahchin Polo: A layered rice dish, a popular and festive Iranian food. It can be described as "layered saffron rice cake with chicken/meat".*Ash-e Torsh: "Sour Soup" - a type of Persian soup with a tangy flavor.Nowruzak / Little Nowruz: "Little Nowruz" - suggesting a smaller or related celebration to Nowruz, the Persian New Year.Alefe / Arafe: Likely derived from the Islamic term "Arafa," which is the day before Eid al-Adha and a day of remembrance, but in this regional context, it's applied to their local day of remembrance.Eid-e Maah (Month of Eid): Refers to a month in the Tabari calendar. It’s important to keep this as it’s specific to the local calendar.Baram / Khalati: These are the local names for the ceremonial pole. Keeping them with a brief explanation is best to preserve the cultural specificity.Solar Hijri Calendar: The official calendar of Iran, a solar calendar. Tir is the fourth month of this calendar.
Source: شفاهی - فرستاده شده
Author: Nasrin Taheripour
Artist: Yalda Rasekhi