Gilan
Gil or Gilak is the name of an Iranian tribe living in South-west of Khazar (Caspian) sea who live in Gilan state. Gilaks speak one of languages of Indian and European from Iranian west-northern languages. Based on Iranika, it seems that Gils entered in South district of Caspian Sea in first or second century BC. It is argued that their ancestors come from Ghafghaz district and they probably substituted with an older group in South part of Khazar sea. Linguists believe that there are similarities between Ghafghazi languages and Gilaki (no other Iranian languages). In your Iran exploaratrion, you will find this ethnicity amazingly attractive.
Gilani people characteristics
Climatic diversity in Gilan leads to different life style for occupants in distinct sections of the state, but it could not interrupt cultural connection among them, and separate them culturally and emotionally. People mood is the same either in cities or villages, and because of similar beliefs there is no difference between them. The spiritual modesty and social thoughts cause a sweet and enjoyable life for people who live in this part of the country and lead to specific features in their behavior. Explore Iran by colorful and happy life style of Gilani people.
Cooperation and collaboration
Collaboration is visible in many aspects of Gilani people life in a way that its effects are being seen in group songs while cultivation, selling rice, their cuisine and warehousing. Men and women in Gilan make effort for a living together. They show a spectacular image of cooperation and association while working and holding their hands. This feature causes women to be as strong as men using hard tools such as ax come along with their men as well as doing feminine and delicate jobs of house holding. Exploring Iran will make you know more about their features.
Exhilaration and vitality
Geographical condition of Gilan, Dense vegetation coverage, humidity, access to sea and many climatic factors make Gilani people happy and lively with different mood from people from other parts of the country. They have stable morale. Explore Iran to see these people fave to face and get to know them wisely. Haji Sayah who traveled to Gilan in Naser al-Din Shah Qajar era says: Because of dominant rainy weather in Gilan and due to humidity, occupants temper of most of the people is moisture and tend to be bored and superstitious.
Peace, reconciliation and hospitality
This land has been a host of many people from all around the world and many migrations has happened in this region. From Mazdakies and Alavies migration to Polish and Russian entrance in world wars cause Gilani people to host many people. They make their guests feel secure and that’s why they count as a good host and their hospitality is well-known among many people and treat their friends nicely; they are very strict against enemies though. One of the best examples of this feature is obvious in their residency for more than one century against Arabs attack.
Gilani people never hold tribal and ethnic prejudices as strong as other parts of Iran. Most of Muslims of Gilan had lived with Christian Armenian in a way that they even drank from one water well. Biases don’t have any position in their life especially in marriage and different tribes marry each other easily. By exploring Iran you can compare what you hear in media about Iran and the reality.
Safety and trust to the future
Contrary to what you see in Iran desserts in building narrow allies and tall walls, Homes are still with short walls. It is because of the fact that desserts face stranger’s attacks and consider security. Because of feeling safety in fertile lands, people behavior is plain and it is accompanied with more negligence.
People in Gilan do not save money. They never experience the feeling that it might be famine in near future and there is nothing to eat. That’s why they less likely tend to save jewelries or assets. This feature is totally against the feeling of people in central part of Iran who always live in drought and they permanently think of tomorrow. Safety is one of the most guaranteed matters, if you explore Iran north.
Being glutton
The importance of food is high among Gilanis. They cook delicious food which often consist of one or some expensive ingredients. The flavors of different food vary and play crucial role in food tastes. The ingredients of food are organic and guarantee freshness and health of their feeds. Gilanies cuisine is so especial and be sure you will not miss it on your Iran exploration.
