Project Statement:    Bakhtiari Wedding

​

In the heart of Iran’s Zagros Mountains, a Bakhtiari wedding is far more than

a union between two individuals; it is a living expression of collective

memory, tribal identity, and harmony between people and nature. Often held

in spring against vast landscapes, the ceremony embodies unity, kinship, and

respect for tradition while embracing subtle adaptations to modern life.

This series captures key moments of the day: rhythmic gunfire to announce

joy; the lively “Handkerchief Dance,” where men and women in colorful

traditional attire move in perfect synchrony; “Chub-bazi” (stick dance),

rooted in ancient martial skills, now a playful ritual of celebration; and the

symbolic “belt-tying” ceremony, performed by a male relative to bless the

bride with fertility and prosperity. Adorned horses carry the bride to her new

home, with the groom riding alongside—a gesture both practical and poetic.