Chogān; the riding game accompanied by music and storytelling

Included in 2017 in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Chogān is a traditional team game that has a history of over 2000 years in Iran and was the best known and favorite game in royal courts and for ordinary people. They are two teams that compete with the goal of getting the ball through the opposing team's goalposts using a wooden stick. The game is accompanied by a musical performance and narration. Each team includes three primary groups: the players, storytellers and musicians. Chogān is a cultural, artistic and athletic element with a strong connection with the identity and history of its fans and players. It has a strong presence in ancient Iranian literature, storytelling, proverbs, crafts and ornaments. Chogān also establishes a connection between nature, humanity and horses. Traditionally, the transmission of skill in the game was passed down informally within the family. The techniques of Chogān continue to be actively safeguarded by local families and professionals. However, in the last decades, Chogān associations have also been established, which hold training courses, support local masters and provide assistance in the transmission of all aspects of Chogān, safeguarding local diversity.