Haji Faruz

The joyous figure of Haji Firuz appears each year during Nowruz festivities to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Although his origins are uncertain, he might be associated with Domuzi, the ancient Sumerian god of sacrifice who died each winter and was reborn in the spring. Today Haji Firuz is always clad in red, and his dark face has come to symbolize the underworld. He welcomes the new year by dancing, singing, and making people laugh.