Analytic study of the Tale of Kaykhosrow in Masaram region

Kaykhosrow is one of the prominent Kiani kings whose tales constitutes the most captivating part of Shahnameh to itself.  Although Ferdowsi had dealt with all periods of his life from birth to death, yet it seems that his childhood and in particular his mysterious end received more attention by the public all the more reason for being a target for weaving myths around it.  One such narrative is the one narrated by one of the naqqals named Khavar Ghashang in the village of Masaram situated 40 km southwest of Shiraz. This extraordinary narrative is an amalgam of several mythological, epic, religious, and historical narratives to an extent that apart from certain story lines it does not seem to resemble much to its Shahnameh counterpart.  In other words this narrative is a fusion of different adventures related to Cyrus, the great, Feraydun, Zahhak, Holy Mary, and Moses.  This article focuses on parts of the narrative concerning the events surrounding Kaykhosrow’s birth, his growing up, his uprising against his grandfather and finally his fate.  It is assumed that other areas of his life were gradually forgotten since most elders in Masaram cannot recall the story and only a few narrate limited part of the tale.  The purpose of this article is to record this narrative which is not cited in any sources and also to study and analyze its content.