GLOSSARY

Agha		– an honorific meaning gentleman, sir, mister.
Haft-Seen		– Literally meaning ‘The Seven ‘S’s’ is a traditional table setting of Nowruz, the Iranian new year celebration at the start of spring. The Haft-Seen table includes seven items all starting with the letter ‘s’ in the Persian alphabet and they symbolise rebirth, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience and beauty. The seven items are apples, sprouts, vinegar, garlic, sumac, samanu (a creamy wheat pudding) and senjed (a sweet Silver berry or Oleaster fruit). Among other items included are: mirror, candles, painted eggs, coins, goldfish and rose water.
Hijab		– refers to both the head-covering worn by Muslim women and modest Islamic styles of dress in general.In Iran, the most common forms of hijab have traditionally been the headscarf and the chador. In post-revolution Iran, women are also required to wear a loose-fitting long tunic or manteau.
Khan		– obsolescent title of the nobility or tribal chiefs, now used as an honorific corresponding to ‘Sir’.
Korsi		– traditional furniture of Iranian culture. It is a low table with a heater underneath it and blankets thrown over it. People sit on futons around the korsi with the blankets covering their legs. It is a relatively inexpensive way to stay warm in the winter, as the futons and blankets trap the warm air. During the cold months, most family activities take place around the korsi.
Wedding sofreh		– a fine cloth, often with glittering gold and silver threads, is spread out on the floor and adorned with various foods and objects traditionally associated with marriage. These include a mirror flanked by a pair of candelabra, a tray of multi-coloured spices, an assortment of sweets and pastries, a large flatbread, coloured eggs, a platter of feta cheese and fresh herbs, two large sugar cones, a flask of rose water, a small brazier burning wild rue, and an open Qu’ran or a Diwan of Hafez.
SAVAK		– Secret Service Police.