What is Sofreh in Iranian culture? | سفره ناهار
Sofreh is a piece of fabric that Iranians serve their meals on
What is Sofreh?
Sofreh is a piece of fabric that is traditionally spread on the rug (sometimes on the table) that meals will be served on top of. It's a place where the family is gathered; It should be respected and has its manners: one shouldn't walk on sofreh or jump over it. (because in gatherings Sofreh is usually very large, people might not be able to reach the other side. So they might walk on it or jump over to set the plates and meal. But it considered to be rude and before spreading the Sofreh someone should be on the other side to help.) You're also not allowed to lie down while Sofreh is spread, and elders should sit first, and start eating first, and so on!
Sofreh or khan (خوان) has an important role in Iranian culture. For every festival, celebration, cultural or religious events, there will be a sofreh: be it Haft sin (Nowruz), Aghd (wedding), Eftar (Ramazan) and each has its special items. (I will post about those later)
About this Sofreh:
This lunch sofreh which my friend spread for me is from two years ago. The soft winter sunlight was coming through the window and made a lovely atmosphere.
There were saffron rice, potato Tahdig, Ghorme Sabzi (Persian vegetable stew), Shirazi salad and doogh (cold savoury yoghurt-based beverage) on our simple yet delicious sofreh!
Do you have sofreh/table rituals too? I'd love to hear about them.
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Comments (65)
I forgot to comment that I really liked your photo. The rug and sofreh look really pretty 😍 and the food looks refreshing and delicious!
Thank you so much ❤️💖 I was in my friend's house to take pictures of her handmade dolls and when she spread the Sofreh, I took a picture of that too. It is not a very luxury Sofreh and there are way better ones, but I really loved how simple and...
Read moreI don't remember of special table rules. The same long list of table manners applies for Christmas and New Year's Eve, or any family or friends gathering. I remember more about the food, in Christmas usually people try to have special things for dinner, for example, turkey that when I was a kid it used to be really expensive. And New Year's was more about the "good luck" foods: 12 grapes before midnight, 12 spoons of lentil stew before midnight, and eat your favorite food.
How interesting! I think I did read about the 12 grapes in our English class. But I had no idea about the lentil stew and others. Thank you Fulana 🌹🙏🏻
The grapes was for good luck, the lentils for money, and consuming something you like was to guarantee that it will be present throughout the new year 😆. I used to have 🍫😁.
Usually we don't such rituals, except Christmas where tablecloth is usually white ( this is how I remember from my childhood) and many people put a some hay under the tablecloth what is a simbol of modest conditions where Jesus was born. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for whole family.
Interesting! Thank you Emilia 🌹. Can't wait to see your Christmas ceremony pictures this year! Love to know more about it!
12 dishes represent 12 apostles also we have additionaly free sit for person who is for example alone or poor and doesn't have anyone whom can spend Christmas with.
You're welcome..your post was interesting as well I had no idea about...
Read moreNo not really. Of course no standing, laying or jumping over the table. 🙂
Well jumping over a table is a bit hard😅😅😂😂.
The thing about walking or jumping over Sofreh is that because Sofreh in gatherings is usually very large, sometimes its length takes up the whole room and it would be very wide and people...
Read moreI love reading about traditions of other cultures. I find it fascinating, especially since we don't really have any here. You could start a post series on your eating traditions. 🙂
Very interesting. I did not know this. Food also looks great!
Thank you 🌹 I will post more about Sofreh. Everything was delicious! She did a great job 😅
You're welcome.