We are neither Western nor Arab. Our roots are Central Asian, and so is our culture related to the people there and in the Caucasus, still. We do have some Arab habits, but we are very different. All the land that used to be Zoroastrian share this differentness. Even the most Islamic Iranian is still little more than a hidden Zoroastrian. We need to resynch and restablish our relationship with those closest to us, meaning the people of Tajikestan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, etc..
And yes, it was thousands of years ago that we seperated from other Aryans, but a lot survived. Our ancestors fused and were civilized by the the Elamites when they entered Iran, and a highly sophisticated advanced and dominant culture resulted.
One of the most amazing things about Iranian culture which the scholars comment on a lot is its continuity. Even though it absorbs change, it never itself changes. Iran always conquered its conquerors, and these conquerors then went and spread Iranian culture all over the world. This happened with the Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Turks... Whoever passes through Iran is changed.
We can be proud of who we are without the ugliness of putting down of some groups, or trying to relate ourselves to others.
Btw, when I'm asked, I usually say 'I'm Persian, I'm from Iran.' This links modern Iran to its history, and invites questions if the person is uninformed.
Nice to be back to this group.
...Roodabeh
And yes, it was thousands of years ago that we seperated from other Aryans, but a lot survived. Our ancestors fused and were civilized by the the Elamites when they entered Iran, and a highly sophisticated advanced and dominant culture resulted.
One of the most amazing things about Iranian culture which the scholars comment on a lot is its continuity. Even though it absorbs change, it never itself changes. Iran always conquered its conquerors, and these conquerors then went and spread Iranian culture all over the world. This happened with the Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Turks... Whoever passes through Iran is changed.
We can be proud of who we are without the ugliness of putting down of some groups, or trying to relate ourselves to others.
Btw, when I'm asked, I usually say 'I'm Persian, I'm from Iran.' This links modern Iran to its history, and invites questions if the person is uninformed.
Nice to be back to this group.
...Roodabeh