TEHRAN – Many farmers in Uramanat, a UNESCO-registered rural landscape in western Iran, adorned gardens to celebrate the harvest of pomegranates.

Every autumn, many pomegranate growers in Uramanat hold centenaries to thank God and celebrate the harvest season. This year, the rotating festival was held in Dalamarz village of the World Heritage landscape on Nov. 8.

Stretched on the slopes of Sarvabad county, and shared between the provinces of Kordestan and Kermanshah, Uramanat embraces dense and step-like rows of houses in a way that the roof of each house forms the yard of the upper one, a feature that adds to its charm and attractiveness. Also, it is home to many gardens, including ones dedicated to pomegranates.

Native to Iran and eastward up to northern India, pomegranates are widely cultivated in most provinces of Iran, with different colors, sizes, and flavors.

When it comes to Persian literature, the pomegranate (Anaar) is there bearing a metaphor or symbol. Some say pomegranates can be used to manifest a range of metaphors in Persian poetry due to their intense red color, round shape, and numerous seeds.

Ancient Iranians believed that the pomegranate was a sign of fertility due to its abundant seeds. It is a high pillar of festivities on Yalda Night. Narratives say the presence of pomegranates symbolizes blessings for a new life. The number of seeds scattered indicates how many children a young woman may give birth to!

Moreover, the pomegranate has long been one of the essential ingredients for Persian cuisine to bring a kind of balance, taste, and flavor.

AFM