Ali's Iranian Birthday Traditions

by Ali Pourdoulati
(Sydney, Australia)

Hello, I am Ali who currently lives in Australia! In Iran where I am from, birthdays are not usually celebrated as fancy as in Australia. We have a cake, traditional foods, and candles.

We invite some of our friends and their families to join us for a party.

Our birthday is usually celebrated in our homes. And instead of buying presents, people usually give gold and jewelry. Men and women celebrate in separated rooms, as is Iranian custom.

Women usually share family news, cooking and recipes, talk about their children and husbands (I wonder!) and maybe gossip a little as well!

Men talk about politics, religion, business and sports - this I know for sure.

For the celebration, the women usually cook together for the rest of the family and guests. There are many tasty traditional dishes served! My favorite Iranian food is a kind of spicy rice with baked meat.

The birthday meal is cooked in ranges, or on top of a sheet of hot metal. Traditional Iranian foods are very spicy and greasy, but delicious!

When guests enter the house, they say "Happy Birthday," which is "Tavalodat mobarak تولدت مبارک" in Iran.

Most people usually are busy with their homes and work, so birthday parties are often short. I think this is all I can say.

- Ali