Var Rituals in the Southern Region of Kerman; An Anthropological, Mythological and Religious Analysis

Var (trial by ordeal) was a form of divine judgement carried out by Zoroastrian judges to ascertain personal truthfulness. This ritual was not exclusive to Iranians; it was prevalent in Europe until the middle centuries. In the mythological and religious culture of the southern region of Kerman, the var ritual has been practiced in various ways throughout history. These include loqmeh-nevisi (eating consecrated morsels by the accused), takhteh-nevisi (writing the accused's name on a board), kāseh-ghardoon (identifying the culprit with a bowl of water), and qesme-chār (passing the accused through fire), among others, all aimed at proving personal truthfulness. The purpose of this study is to examine the role and implementation of Var rituals in this specific region. The research method is descriptive-analytical and involves collecting documentary information and conducting interviews with local inhabitants. The findings of the research indicate that the origins of Var rituals can be traced back to religious and mythological epic texts such as Shāhnāmeh and Avesta. Similar to other rituals, Var has undergone changes and transformations over time.