Thursday, November 07, 2002 Zyryab The Iranian roots of the guitar By Nima Kasraie November 6, 2002 The Iranian The Spaniard Paco De Lucia, one of the world's greatest guitar legends, has an album titled "Zyryab" ("Zar Yab" in Persian) dedicated to an Iranian musician also known as Abul-Hassan Ali ibn e Nafi who lived during the Abbasid era. A contemporary of Ebrahim e Mowseli and his son Isaac, both royal musicians, they were all among the greatest masters of music in the Abbasid court. Ebrahim e Mowseli (125-188 After Hijra), son of Mahan, son of Bahman, son of Pashang, all were farmers from an area called Arjan, near Shiraz, Iran. Ebrahim was born in Kufeh, close to the Abbasid capital. Ebrahim learned music from a Zoroastrian named Javanooyeh who lived in Rey (present day Tehran). There, he also married a girl named Shahak Razi, giving them their son, Isaac (150-235 After Hijra). It is said Ebrahim had such a keen sense of hearing that he could recognize the sound of one instrument among 30 others playing. The author Abol Faraj e Isfahani has, in his book Aghani, described Isaac as "an ocean" compared to all other musicians of the royal court which he called "streams of water". Like his father Ebrahim, Isaac was very admired at the royal Abbasid Court of Harun Al-Rashid and his successor Ma'mun. The Caliph Mu'tasem said of Isaac: "Whenever Isaac sings, it is as if my empire has expanded." One of the great accomplishments of Isaac was the training of a student known as Zyryab. In the late 8th century, Zyryab took his knowledge and mastery of music to newly conquered Spain. There he became very famous, and opened a school of music. So famous in fact, that the Spanish today consider him the creator of the Guitar. It is said that he knew 10,000 songs by heart. He lived in Cordoba up to the end of his days, changing the history of music in Andalusia and Europe forever. Ebne Khladun, the mideival historian and philosopher (732-808 After Hijra) says this about him: The Mowselians had a servant named Zyryab who had learned music from his masters [Ebrahim and Isaac] very well. Many musicians of the royal court gradually grew to envy him, and so the Abbasid authorities eventually sent him to exile in Andalusia. Zyryab was received at the Moorish court of Hakam ibn e Hisham ibn e Abdol-Rahman e Dakhel, ruler of Andalusia. Zyryab soon became well admired and respected. So much so that he was given numerous gifts and awards from the Emir, and even appointed in his royal court alongside his most trusted and learned men. Thus music in Andalusia progresssed greatly due to Zyryab. And long after his death, his music continued to be played and recited and taught to students. His art [students] were like a vast ocean that spread to north Africa after the fall of Cordoba, and even today traces of his music can be found everywhere in that region. Music in Iran however has a tradition that goes well before the Abbasid period, in fact reaching a remarkable stage of development during the Sasanid period as it had historical and in-essence connections to poetry. Great musicians and composers, most notably Barbad, were reported to have been present at the courts of Sasanian emperors, notably that of Khosrow Parviz. It was in fact this same musical tradition that enlivened the mentioned Abbasid court and nourished the courts of many rulers, eventually laying the foundations of middle eastern music. posted by Sam at 7:49 AM http://www.netiran.com/Htdocs/Clippings/Social/950115XXSO01.html Statistics for the City of Tehran Hamshahri, Morning Daily Jan. 15 & 16, 1995, By: Vol. 3, Nos. 599 & 600, Page: 6 Word Count: 2393 Summary: The city of Tehran itself, at present, has a population of 6.5 million. Taking into account the towns and suburbs that had been totally dependent on the city economically and socially, aggregate population figure, based on a Tehran provincial census taken in 1991, was placed at 9.1 million. The same census also indicated that for the first time, the average rate of growth of Tehran declined. However, this had not been followed by a drop in the number of people living in the city. Nevertheless, the latest survey reported that the population of Tehran had become a bit older, more active and highly literate. Text: Due to the importance of ascertaining the population statistics and growth patterns in the Tehran region in order to come up with a comprehensive urban study, researchers at the Center for Studies and Planning of Tehran City prepared a report that focused on these areas. The report included no policies pertaining to the future growth of the population; hence, special forecasts in this regard were not made for the coming years. The ultimate aim of the research was to recognize the differences and similarities that existed among the people inhabiting the twenty districts of the city, identify the prevailing scenario and come up with a profile of its structural characteristics. 1. Tehran Region and Its Demographic Features The Tehran region, which is a part of Tehran province, includes the cities of Tehran, Karaj, Savejbolagh, Shahryar, Shemiran, Rey and Varamin. On account of common borders and due to close economic and social links, this area is called "the Tehran region". These various cities became a collective entity since 1966 and their links have become more intensified as of 1976. Census figures taken in 1991 set Tehran region's population at 9.1 million, 6.5 million of which belonged to Tehran city alone. According to the country's administrative division of 1986, surface area of this region is 13,194 square kilometers. Its population density in 1991 was 693 persons per square kilometers, but this figure was reduced to 21 persons per square kilometers, after deduction of the population and the area of Tehran city. The report mentioned the average rate of growth of the region from 1966-1991, to be 4.03%. Average growth during the earlier periods, from 1976 to 1986, was 4.41%, but the ratio declined to 2.7% in the later period, beginning from 1986 to 1991, with the decrease registered mainly in the rural areas. During the ten-year period lasting from 1976 to 1986, the growth of Tehran city ranged from 10% to 66% while other urban and rural areas also belonging to the region grew at 6.2%. The accelerating rate of population growth in Karaj, Islam Shahr, Rajaei Shahr, Qarchak and Varamin in recent years was identified in the report as a factor that had contributed to the problems of Tehran city. Over the past 15 years (1986-1991), the population of Rajaei Shahr increased by 21.8%, from 8,000 people to 108,000 persons. During the same interval, the number of people living in Islam Shahr rose to 230,000, or a growth of 13%. There are currently 23 population centers, which are in the suburbs of Tehran city and their average annual population increment is 22%. Therefore, it could be concluded that the decreasing rate of population growth in Tehran city during the recent years was simply due to the migration of people to the surrounding areas. Hence, in order to give a clear picture of the population density of Tehran, it was automatically necessary to carry out demographic studies on its surrounding areas. 2. Population of the Twenty Districts Surrounding Tehran City >From 1980 to 1991, the various districts of Tehran had their own peculiar growth features. The central and some southern districts of the city (districts 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17) actually did not have more people, but lost some of their inhabitants instead, as the population of above ten districts went down during the said period. The decline was due to the conversion of many residential places into administrative, commercial and ancillary service units (stores, garages, workshops...). The migration of the population from the above districts had been absorbed by the marginal districts (20, 4, 5, 15, 19). During the 1980-91 period, districts 5, 19, 4 and 2 with 14.2%, 5.5%, 5.2% and 4.5% growth rates respectively, registered the highest population increments. 3. Age and Sex Classification of People in Tehran City The sex structure of the population in the Tehran city showed a higher percentage of men as compared with women. This trend was generally seen in immigrant receiving areas. The men inhabitants in the city of Tehran had always been more than women since 1976. This could probably be due to the higher birth rate for boys as well as the higher percentage of men immigrants. The age ratio (i.e. the number of men for every 100 women) in 1991, was 104.7 for the age group under 15 years, 104.8 for those 15 to 49 years and 122.1 for the 50 to 59 age bracket. 4. Age Structure of Tehran City's Population The age pyramid of the population of Tehran city was wide at the base and narrow at the apex, which was due to the young age of the population of the city. A comparison of the percentages of people in the age groups up to 14 years of age, those 15 to 64 years and those older than 65, during 1966 to 1990, further pointed to the youthful population of Tehran city. People who were 14 years and younger comprised 41% of the total in 1966, and this ratio gradually lessened over the years and reached 36.3% in 1991. Conversely, the number of people in their prime (15 to 64 years) was on the rise, although those who were 14 years and below still accounted for the highest population percentage. 5. Relative Population Density in the Twenty Districts of Tehran City Relative density of Tehran city was 108 and 116 persons per hectare for 1986 and 1991 respectively. There were wide variations in relative density among the 20 districts of Tehran. District 17, with 421 persons per hectare, registered the highest density, whereas district 1, with 37 persons per hectare, had the lowest density among the areas comprising Tehran city. Tehran possessed a special situation from the point of view of residential density (i.e. the ratio of the population vis-a-vis the constructed residential space). The available places in the central districts, which were the most dense in the whole city, had mainly been devoted to administrative, cultural and medical purposes, while most residential units were mainly situated in the marginal districts. Total area of constructed residential space in the 20 districts of Tehran in 1992, was reported at 176,468,753 square meters. Collected data further revealed that district 3, with 45.2 square meters, had the highest per capita residential area and district 18, with 11 square meters, had the lowest per capita residential area. The average per capita area for the whole city was 27.5 square meters, while the average area per household was estimated to be 116.7 square meters. District 3, which had an average of 167.5 square meters per household, had the upper limit in this category while district 18, with 56.9 square meters, had the lowest. 6. Number of Households in Tehran City Census and housing statistics mentioned that there were 59,601 households during 1980 to 1986, and from 1986 to 1991, 131,107 were added to the households of Tehran city. The average size of each household in the twenty districts of the city in 1991, was 4.3. Four-member families were the most prevalent and accounted for 22.4% of the total households, while five-member families comprised 17.9%, and 3-member families 17.3%. Altogether, 57.6% of total households in Tehran had fewer than five members. The biggest households that had six or more members, were mostly found in districts 18 and 19; hence, the social, cultural and educational difficulties in these districts were more acute. It was also observed that a direct relationship existed between the size of a household and the number of its members that were studying: the bigger the household, the more members thereof who were studying. 7. Marriage-Related Statistics in the City of Tehran in 1991 - The average age of men at the time of first marriage was 24.4 years. - The average age of women at the time of first marriage was 21 years. - Prevalence of marriage for men was 97.7% while declared bachelor status was 2.3%. - Prevalence of marriage women was 98% and single status was 2 % . - The ratio of married (at least once) literate men ten years and more was 53.9%. - The ratio of illiterate married (at least once) men ten years and more was 92%. - The ratio of literate married (at least once) women ten years and older was 59.8%. - The ratio of illiterate married (at least once) women ten years and older was 97.5%. - Percentage of men without wives as a result of divorce was 25.8%. - Percentage of literate men without wives due to divorce was 36.5%. - Percentage of illiterate men without wives due to divorce was 8.35%. - Percentage of women who were without husbands due to divorce was 12.1%. - Percentage of literate women without husbands due to divorce was 21.7%. - Percentage of illiterate women without husbands due to divorce was 4.1%. It was interesting to note that out of the total number of literate men who were more than 10 years old, 52% were married and 1.6% of literate men in the 10-14 age group had spouses. 83.8% of the total number of illiterate men who were older than 10 years were married, and the figure for 10-14 age group was 15.9%. Fifty-six percent of literate women older than 10 years had husbands, 1.3% of whom were within the 10-14 age bracket. On the other hand, 73.8% of the all illiterate women older than 10 years were married and 22.4% of those belonging to the 10-14 years age group, lived with their husbands. 8. Social Characteristics of the Population (Literacy, Religion, Activity, Employment, Number of Dependents). Literacy: Out of the total population of Tehran city in 1976, 1986 and 1991, 75.3%, 81.9 and 87.9% respectively, were literate and the remainders were illiterate. The level of literacy was higher for men than for women. According to 1991 statistics, 91.4% of men and 84.6% of women were literate. Religion : Ninety-eight percent of Tehran's population were Muslims, and the remaining 2% belonged to religious minorities as follows: Zoroastrians 0.3%; Jews 0.3%, Christians 1.2%; other religions and sects 0.2%. Activity: In 1991, 75.4% of Tehran is were ten years and older. Those in this age category registered a 2.4% increase as compared with the figure in 1986. The active population of the city in 1986 was 28.8%, and the remaining 71.2% were either students, housewives, persons having an income without doing any work, such as retired individuals and others. Men comprised 87.7% of the active population and the rest were women. An investigation of the active segment of the population in the various age groups revealed a proportionate relationship between the level of activity and age, which meant that the level of economic activity rose as the person became older, although the percentage gradually reduced after the age of 45. Retired people older than 65 years, housewives aged between 25 and 29 years and students ranging from 10 to 14 years constituted 2%, 7.6% and 23.2% of the inactive population respectively. Employment: An investigation of the employment situation in Tehran in 1991 showed that of the total population 10 years and above, 35.6% were employed and 2.5% were unemployed or were seeking jobs. Of the active population, 93.4% had gainful employment and 6.6% were without work in 1991. In 1968, meanwhile, 85.7% of the active population of Tehran were employed and 14.3% were unemployed. Therefore, it could be said that the employment opportunities in Tehran increased from 1986 to 1991. Of the 1,864,332 active persons, 82.5% and 10.8% were men and women respectively. The highest number of women who had jobs were those aged 25 to 29 and 30 to 34 years. A profile of the employment situation in the twenty districts could serve as an important tool for economic, social and cultural planning in each of the areas of Tehran city. Degree of Dependency: Recognition of three age groups, i.e. under 14 years, 14 to 64, and above 65, is important for economic and social purposes. People who were below 14 years and those over 65 did not contribute to production and were considered as consumers and consequently, were dependent on the potentially active population (15-64 years). The higher the proportion of the first group, the more would be the degree of dependency on the potentially active population. This ratio of dependency was 68.8% and 66.9% respectively in 1986 and 1991. As to the number of dependents that each employed person had, the computed figure for 1986 was 3.1 and 2.7 persons was calculated for 1991. 9. Birth and Mortality Figures In 1986, registered births was 163.5 per thousand. This figure however, decreased to 76 per thousand in 1991. It was noticed though that the number of women in their fertile years rose from 1,475,813 in 1986 to 1,614,812 five years after. The decline in the birth rate, despite the rising number of women in their fertile years, could be attributed to a certain extent, to the people's increasing awareness of the consequences of rapid additions to the population and the successful implementation of family planning programs. Mortality rates, on the other hand, were indicative of the health situation and senility of age groups of the society. According to the available statistics, the mortality rate was 5.3 per 1,000 persons in 1986, and 5.4 per 1,000 in 1991. The natural population growth of Tehran was 3.4% in 1986 and this figure was substantially reduced to 1.3% in 1991. Meanwhile, a study of the migration situation in the city revealed that 246,012 persons six years and older migrated to Tehran city in 1991. With nearly 11 million inhabitants (one sixth of the country’s total population) in less than 18956 square kilometers, Tehran is the country’s most densely populated province . The district of Tehran is the most populated in the province and in the country, in which the city of Tehran hosts 6, 758, 845 people, and the district of Karaj comesin the second place to accomodate more than a million inhabitants. In 1996 from the total population of the province, 84.15% were urban dwelars and 15.85% were registered as villagers. The province"s geographical includes mountains, plains and valleys with moderate climate in highlands, and semi-desert climate in the plains . The highlands are located to the north of the city of Tehran, and height decreases southward to reach the southern desert. This give the province a remarkable land and climate varieties which provide the province and the city with significant attractiones. While you can enjoy a moderate weather and very beauitiful landscapes on the northern highlands in summer, it is moderate in winter and visiting many historical sites on the southern parts, such as the remainings of the old civilization in Rey, can be very interesting. Additionally, the southern desert displayes some magnificent natural sites for visitors. The province of Tehran includes 9 districts which are: Tehran, Shemiranat, Rey, Islamshahr, Shahreyar, Karaj, Savejbolagh, Varamin and Damavand. The rivers Karaj, Jajroud, Lar, Roud-i-Shoor, Hableh Roud and Taleqan Roud flow acroos Tehran province. With the dams of Karaj, Latian and Lar, these rivers supply Tehran"s drinking water and parts of the country"s electrical power. River- sides and dem-lakes provide also valuable tourism sites for visiting and enjoing walking and viewing beautiful natural sites as well as practicing various kinds of sports, including water sports. These are in addition to sport which could be practised in the mountainous areas around Tehran, such as climbing and skiing. Tehran is an industrial province that hosts a major part of the country"s industries and plays a significant part in its economy. Agriculture is also a prevailing activity in the suburban plains, and highlands of the province. most of the people of this province, a majority of whom are city dwellers, are muslims and speak farse (the persian language). however, religious and ethnic minorities also live in this province, particulary in the city of Tehran , and speak their own language. Owing to the physical proximity of various cities of the province of Tehran , most of the villages and suburban areas are considesed as holiday resorts for the people of Tehran. Among these places are the Karaj Valley, the Karaj dam outskirsts, Shahrestanak, the outskirts of Lar dam. Chitgar. khargoush Darreh. Sorkheh Hessar. latian Ghouchak. Suhanak, Taleqan, Damavand and many other places. posted by Sam at 7:34 AM