Iran Culture

"OFFICIAL NAME:Islamic Republic of Iran (known to the West as Persia)
GeographyArea: 1.6 million sq. km. (636,295 sq. mi., slightly larger than Alaska).

Capital--Tehran

GovernmentType: Islamic republic.
Constitution: Ratified in December 1979, revised 1989."

(US Department of State).

Different then what most people believe, Iran is a very diverse country based on ansestry. The country is predominatly Persian but other groups include Arabs, Kurds, Balochi, Bakhtyari, Lurs Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and Brahuis. The Islamic revolutions have effected the the way in which these citizens relate when it comes to government. With the fall of the Pavlavi Shahs the working class was able to play a part in the growing constitutional monarchy. These “lay people” were committed to preserving the republic and that why they were fit for the job (US Department of State).

Although the Islamic codes prevent the use of some make-ups and perfumes the modern day women still use them anyway. Iranian women are known for plastic surgery to enhance their look in public. Also with the boom in the 20th century of the cosmetic\fashion industry in the west, modern middle and upper class females might look like they came straight out of Cosmopolitan magazine at private gatherings, but are covered up when in public. “Polygamy… resulted in tense competition amongst women for looking their best” (Price). Perfumes are always in great demand. Rose and Moshk (from dried blood of gazelles) are the two most popular. Public and private bathhouses contained attendants in order to keep up the hygiene demand. Soaps are made from animal fat and shampoo is made from lotus leaves. In these gender-segregated areas messages, henna tattoos, haircuts, and threading of hair were not out of the ordinary. In the Iranian culture, removing body hair was a sign of coming of age and crossing into womanhood and only to be done at marriage. This serves as an issue for women venturing the western world as they are faced with different societal values. Iranian women face a battle that American women face too, “THE PREFECT IMAGE.” Persian literature and paintings depicts long black curly hair, small mouth, long-arched eyebrows and large almond shaped eyes, small nose, extremely thin waste line and round face with beauty spots. The are forced to compete to look like the supermodels of today when in reality beauty is skin deep (Price).

HENNA TATOOS

EYE BROW THREADING