Showmanship in Iran In the Narration of Travel Writers

For a long time, kinds of showmanship have been held for entertainment in Iran each of which has its own procedure. In this article, while referring to the dramatic showmanship, their kinds and styles will be addressed from the perspective of orientalists and travel writers. The benefit of this study is to clarify the dimensions of the showmanship widely spread in parts of Iran. Sometimes travel writers have referred to some details in the performances which are very enlightening, details less indicated in Iranian sources and texts since Iranian writers have been familiar with the phenomenon, they have kept themselves from mentioning the details. In this article, with regard to the works of 25 Orientalists and travel writers, and also based on Persian works and texts, the dimensions of Iranian showmanship have been clarified. In this study, it turns out that some of the dramatic rituals in Iran have a long history, and others have been completely forgotten or altered. From these rituals there are terms and words have been remained in the language of the people, which are not clear for us due to the disappearance of their ritual. Not only such studies introduce us to popular culture and past life, they are some grounds for the study of dramatic literature.