Public Story
Waiting for Tishtrya
Waiting for Tishtrya
Erfan DadkhahUpon creation of the world, Ahura Mazda[1] decreed Tishtrya[2] to water the world, commanded the clouds to rain, and revive the land. Ahriman[3], the perpetual enemy of happiness and virtue, got wrathful and decreed Apaosha[4] to blow dire winds, dry the lands, and wither the plants and flowers. After a crushing defeat from Apaosha, eventually Tishtrya triumphed by virtue of Ahura Mazda. The seas surged, clouds of fog were formed, and the south wind dashed. Then, the south wind thrust the clouds and fog and poured rain and hail over the fields and the dwellings of the Seven Countries.
Since the 1990s, South Khorasan[5]’s sky has deprived the local people of its rain. Trees have died standing. Drought has evacuated more than 1700 of the villages. Most of the young people have immigrated to cities in the hope of finding a job. The prolonged drought has curtailed the fields. Borders are drawn by stones, and in some cases, these borders barely exceed one meter. For South Khorasan’s people, one meter means all they have for plantation.
The images recount the story of a land which is under the curse of Ahriman, yet remains hopeful for Tishtrya’s victory.
[1] Ahura Mazda is the creator and sole God of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest religions that remains active.
[2] Tishtrya or Tir, Goddess of rain.
[3] Ahriman , Devil in the religion of Zoroastrianism and ancient Iran.
[4] Apaosha , Demon of drought
[5] South Khorasan Province, the third-largest province in Iran, is bordered by Afghanistan, due to its large immigration, it has less than 1% of Iran's population.
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