Pahlawani vs modern wrestling/ US Soldier tried to teach this Afghan some wrestling!

4:40:00 PM Tkd kwan 0 Comments

Pahlawani was a traditional martial art that was practiced in Iran and Afghanostan.

Here is a description for this art.

 Pahlawani, also known as Varzesh-e Pahlavani or Zurkhaneh, is an ancient traditional Iranian sport that combines physical strength, martial arts, and spirituality. It originated during the Sassanian Empire and has been practiced for centuries in Iran.

Pahlawani is performed in a circular pit called the zurkhaneh, where a group of men, known as Pahlavan, gather to demonstrate their physical abilities and mental resilience. The exercises in Pahlawani involve a combination of wrestling, weightlifting, calisthenics, and gymnastics, with a focus on developing strength, agility, and endurance.

The Pahlavans, dressed in traditional attire, perform a series of synchronized movements and exercises accompanied by live music from traditional Persian instruments. Central to Pahlawani is the mace (gurz) and the wooden shield (sang), which are used for both exercising and demonstrating skills.

Apart from being a physical sport, Pahlawani also incorporates elements of spiritual and moral development. It emphasizes values such as honor, humility, respect, and unity among the participants.

Pahlawani has gained some international recognition in recent years and has been inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. It continues to be practiced in traditional zurkhaneh gyms throughout Iran and has also spread to other countries where Iranian communities reside.