There are approximately 4 million Kurds in Iran. They are the third most important ethnic group in the country after the Persians and Azarbaijanis and account for about 9 percent of the total population. They are concentrated in the Zagros Mountain area along the western frontiers with Turkey and Iraq and adjacent to the Kurdish populations of both those countries.

The Kurds have manifested an independent spirit throughout modern Iranian history, rebelling against central government efforts to restrict their autonomy during the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi periods. The most recent Kurdish uprising took place in 1979 following the Revolution. Mahabad, which has been a center of Kurdish resistance against Persian authority since the time of the Safavid monarch Shah Abbas (1587-1629), was again at the forefront of the Kurdish autonomy struggle. Intense fighting between government forces and Kurdish guerrillas occurred from 1979 to 1982, but since 1983 the government has asserted its control over most of the Kurdish area

One of the noticeable and important buildings of Kermanshah is its large and ancient market (bazaar), and its primary structure is related to the Qajar period. This bazaar is adorned in a splendor style. Among the most significant handicrafts produced in theprovince are carpets, Kelims (kind of rough carpet), baskets, pottery, knives, musical instruments and Jajim (hand-woven cloth used as bedspread or floor cover) andSajjadeh (prayer rug).

Iranian bazaars are fantastic, proper working places, the large ones are cities within cities.Some streets have only spices and fruits (fresh or dehydrated). Dried fruit is considered Nature's way of wrinkling gracefully. It has been called nature's candy.

Sound: Shahram Nazeri - Chahar Mezrab

Iran

Text : InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Nicoleta Leu Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanu