Unveiling the Parsi Tradition: Why Marriages Between Siblings Occur
Understanding the Parsi Religion and Its Practices
Friends, do you know why Parsis marry their sisters? What is the Parsi religion? What are the beliefs and ideologies of the Parsi religion? And why do Parsis throw away their dead? Let’s explore these intriguing questions.
The Origins of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, or Parsi religion, is an ancient faith that emerged in Persia about 3,500 years ago. It is also referred to as the religion of the Persian Magians or fire worshippers. The name of this religion is derived from an Iranian prophet, Zoroaster, who declared the existence of one God, Armuz, at the age of thirty. This declaration is well-documented in history.
From Persia, the religion spread to regions such as Eastern Iran, Europe, Africa, India, and Pakistan. Even today, Parsis can be found in various parts of the world, maintaining their unique traditions. Fire holds a special significance in their worship, and their places of worship always have a flame burning, which is why they are often called fire worshippers.
Core Beliefs of the Parsi Religion
In the Parsi faith, fire is considered sacred and is believed to house God. Hence, Parsis keep a lamp or flame burning in their homes as a symbol of divine blessing. Their holy book is called the Awsat, and they believe in the worship of one God, offering prayers five times a day.
Similar to Hinduism, Judaism, and other ancient religions, Zoroastrianism is non-propagating. Parsis neither accept converts into their faith nor marry outside of it. This exclusivity has contributed to their relatively small numbers.
Controversial Practices: Marrying Within Blood Relations
In many religions worldwide, marrying close blood relatives is strictly forbidden. However, in the Parsi religion, marriage between siblings is permitted and even practiced by many. This tradition has been observed for generations, although it remains controversial and misunderstood by outsiders.
The Unique Funeral Rites of the Parsis
Parsis follow distinct funeral rites that reflect their belief in maintaining the sanctity of natural elements like water, air, sun, and fire. They avoid burying or burning their dead, as they believe this would pollute these pure elements. Instead, the deceased are placed in a Tower of Silence, or Dukhma, where the bodies are left for birds to consume. This practice aligns with their philosophy of returning to nature and avoiding contamination of the earth and air.
The Parsi Community in the Modern World
Today, the Parsi population is quite small, with around 2,000 Parsis residing in Pakistan, most of them in Karachi. Historical records show that after the Arab conquest of Iran, some Parsis converted to Islam, while others migrated to India between the 8th and 10th centuries. Despite their small numbers, the Parsi community is known for its philanthropic efforts, providing support to economically weaker families within their community.
Observance of Purity and Secrecy
Purity holds a central place in the Parsi religion. They maintain strict cleanliness in their daily lives and consider fire a sacred symbol of purity. Unlike other religions, Parsis do not actively propagate their faith, and their youth often avoid openly identifying with the Parsi religion.
A Broader Perspective on Religion
The world is divided into two groups: those who follow a religion and those who do not believe in any divine power, often referred to as atheists. Atheists, particularly prevalent in Russia and Europe, reject religious boundaries, including those related to personal and sexual conduct. In contrast, followers of various faiths adhere to their religious teachings, which typically discourage inappropriate relationships within close family circles.
This deep dive into the Parsi religion provides a glimpse into its history, beliefs, and practices, highlighting the uniqueness of this ancient faith while addressing some common misconceptions.
