 |
| Avesta Performers hanging out before rehearsal, 11/15/12 |
This past Thursday I was fortunate to get a glimpse of the
upcoming 33rd InterFaith Concert. Members of the Zoroastrian Avesta group
rehearsed, with performers ranging in age from younger children to early
twenties. The group members met through the same Sunday school and have been
practicing for several months for this and other performances.
When asked about the reasons they got involved, 13-year old
Yasna answers, “I love singing and I think it’s important to show people about
Zoroastrianism because not many people know about us.” Ten-year old Bita, also
on the ensemble, already does chorus in her school and wanted to support her
community through the choir. They agreed that music and dance are important to
their culture.
“Music is a universal thing,” says Garshasb, 17. “It helps
expose others to our religion.” Garshasb has played the ethnic drums for 3-4
years, but a few months ago he started learning the daf,
a Zoroastrian hand-held drum. He will play it during the concert.
 |
| Avesta musicians, with Garshasb playing the daf (center) |
Being one of the lesser-known religions in the US, I asked the kids what they thought people should know about Zoroastrianism. Immediately, Garshasb and Gordiya, also 17, start to dispel many misconceptions of Zoroastrianism that they’ve come across. “We’re not fire worshippers. We don’t have two gods, we’re very monotheistic,” says Gordiya.
But the most important thing, it seems, was a phrase that
was repeated by both the kids and their parents: “Good Thoughts. Good Words.
Good Deeds.”
“What is good is left up to the interpretation of each
individual,” says Garshasb.
“There is no one sin or special thing,” adds Gordiya.
“Everyone has good and evil inside and everyone faces a constant struggle with
individual choices.”
The importance of decision-making was also emphasized by
their parents when I asked about the lessons they pass on through their faith.
“It’s important to make your own decision and think for yourself,” says Shahrzad,
a mother of two. Behnaz, another mother, agreed. “[We teach them that] every
action has a reaction, so make the best decision.”
Shahrzad also says it’s about telling them where they come
from and about their culture. “Living in the US, it is hard to keep all
traditions. So culture is more important than tradition, at least for me.”
 |
| On-stage: Dancers and singers put together the finishing touches for Dec. 6th |
For the 33rd InterFaith Concert the ensemble will
perform “Khan Ashem Vohu,” roughly translating to “Praise
be to righteousness/seeking of the truth.”
The title is from the ancient Avestan language but the lyrics are in
Persian.
“There is real community initiative in the song,” explains
Anne Khademian, musical director of the group. The piano music, lyrics, and
composition were all created by different members of the Zoroastrian faith over
different periods of time. “We chose the song because it is joyous and
representative of our faith. The song is core to our faith – very traditional
and central to prayers. It celebrates the honor, dignity and wisdom of the
faith.”
InterFaith Conference
invites you to come watch this joyous performance of the Zoroastrian faith on
December 6, 2012 at the Washington Hebrew
Congregation. Concert starts at 7:30 and tickets are available
online, by mail-in
order, or by calling (202) 234-6300.
Read more about Song
and Music in Zoroastrianism by Anne Khademian in our InterFaith Connect
Newsletter.
Author: Misha Davies, IFC Communications Intern
No comments:
Post a Comment