The Educational Impact of Traditional Games: the Role of Zurkhaneh Sport in Educating Children

Year 2017, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 134 - 139, 30.09.2017

Mitra Rouhi Dehkordı

Abstract

Games, and in particular traditional games, can be seriously studied as the most important and
attractive way of improving physical, mental, affective, and social health of members of
society. Playing traditional games maintains physical health, improves spiritual and mental
state, and institutionalizes cultural values.
Zurkhaneh sports are among the most popular traditional sports that have long been practiced
by people of Iran. Iranians’ emphasis on magnanimity, bravery, integrity, nobility, and moral
fiber has contributed to the long life of a great Iranian heritage, namely zurkhane sport.
Zurkhaneh became known as a place where the most elegant characters, like magnanimity,
forgiveness, sacrifice, altruism, combating ignorance, and adherence to moral principles and
virtues, were fostered. Every single element of zurkhaneh sport is imbued with moral
teachings. Respecting veterans, observing moral principles, praying, caring for the needy, and
encouraging politeness and sportsmanlike behavior in addition to physical improvements are
among the prominent features of this traditional sport.
The present paper aims to explore the educational impacts of zurkhaneh sports on children by
drawing on attractive features, background, and potentials of this traditional game.

Keywords

Traditional Games, Zurkhaneh, Persia (Ancient Iran), Culture

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