Intriguing documentary on Afro-Iranians lives

Iran documentarian Kamran Heidari explores in his 2013 doc the historical African ethnic and cultural influences in the southern Iranian port city of Bander Abbas.

The doc titled ' Dingomaro' celebrates the lives of black people in southern Iran through the eyes of Hamid Saeed, a musician on a quest. He searches for like-minded musicians he describes as under the spell of the Dingomaro, a mythic African wind known as ‘Zaar’.

Hormozgan Province in Iran is known to be home to many African descendants. While locals are now mostly Shia Muslims, they still observe many rituals that belong to their African origin.

An inspiring account of diversity, the film is both touching and eye-opening. It was screened as part of the UCLA Celebration of Iranian Cinema in May 2014. 

The doc highlights the cultural diversity in Iran with a focus on Afro-Iranians' culture, music, lifestyle, rituals and beliefs as the little-known slice of Iranian history. 

AG/AG