On Bite-Taker Ritual: An Example of Iranian “Var” in the Bakhtiari Tribe

One of the basic fundamental factors of knowing mythological sources, and preserving and promoting them is to conduct scientific studies in the field of popular folk culture and literature. Swearing, in its various forms, is one of the rituals that has long been manifested in Iranian popular folk culture and literature in various ways. In this study, we analyzed the bite-taker ritual, as an instantiation of swearing (Var) in the Bakhtiari tribe. It was assumed that this ritual takes root from the traditions of ancient Iran. Emphasizing its importance among the Bakhtiari people, this ritual was known to recognize the right-doer from the wrong-doer. So far as the bite is concerned, right from the wrong and the correctness of the word is the importance of the bite from the perspective of the Bakhtiari people. In this study, firstly, the story of bite-taker was narrated and, secondly, their literary manifestations and mythological aspects were investigated. The data was qualitative, and the method of data collection was based on field-library sources. The method of data analysis was in the form of qualitative content. After examining various sources and analyzing the literary and mythological manifestations of motifs of the bite-taker test in the Bakhtiari people, it can be argued that this ritual is a remnant of the ritual of drinking sulfur water in ancient Iran, which, by preserving mythological elements among Bakhtiari people, is believed to be the last solution to prove the truth of the word and distinguish right from wrong. Besides, some certain elements of this test, such as the presence of fire, wearing perfume and white clothes before the test, and perfume, are considered as reminiscent of the story of Siavash in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh.