Purviz Kolsawalla, Sydney
Zoroastrians are from pre-Islamic Iran and are followers of the prophet Zarathushtra (known to the Greeks as Zoroaster), who lived and preached around 3500 years ago. Zoroastrianism was the official religion of Iran for over 1000 years, until the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. In the 10th century, some Zoroastrians settled in India, becoming known as the Parsis ('Persians').
Zoroastrians believe in a cosmic dualism: that life is a battle between good and evil. It is their duty to preserve the 'seven creations' - the sky, waters, earth, plants, cattle, man and fire. Fire is particularly powerful, being the source of light, warmth and life, as well as the intermediary between themselves and God.
The body of a deceased person, believed to be contaminated by nasu (decomposition), must only be prepared and transported by special people called nassesalars. The corpse must be disposed of as quickly and efficiently as possible, and preferably without coming into contact with fire, water or the earth.
The preferred disposal method for Zoroastrians is by exposure to sunlight and birds of prey, but this method is only permitted in India, through the use of the dokhma. In Iran, where the dokhmas were banned in the early 20th century, people are sometimes buried in concrete-lined tombs, and in Australia, most Zoroastrians are cremated. In India, severe reductions in the vulture population in recent years, has prompted debates over alternative methods of disposal.
The dokhma is a circular stone tower which is open to the sky to allow sunlight and birds of prey to enter. The design allows for the drainage of body fluids and rain through the central well, which only the corpse-bearers are permitted to enter. Large bones are disposed of in the central pit, and covered by a layer of lime to aid their decomposition.
During a Zoroastrian funeral ceremony in India today, a dog is brought in to view the deceased. The purpose is not to receive the deceased's soul, but to confirm that the person really is dead.
Khojeste Mistree, Zoroastrian Studies, Mumbai, India.
After being given a ritual bath, the deceased is dressed in clean, old white clothes, including the sudra and kusti, and then covered with a shroud. A lamp burns for the deceased for three days and nights. There should be no flowers near the corpse as flowers are used only for joyous occasions. Prayers are said continuously over the body before it is transported to the place of disposal.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2010