Kurdish Thousand Daffs Festival unites tradition and culture in western Iran’s Kurdistan province. On Tuesday, the historic village of Palangan came alive.
This year marked the third edition of the Thousand Daffs Festival. It attracted around 60,000 visitors from Iran and beyond. The celebration centered around the Daf, a traditional Kurdish percussion instrument.
Thousands of men and women joined together in musical unity. Their performances echoed through Palangan’s ancient stepped architecture. Religious hymns were also part of the event, highlighting the festival’s spiritual roots.
Palangan sits high in the mountains of the Hewraman region. Its buildings follow a unique terraced style that dates back to before Islam. This design gives the village national importance.
Out of 150 villages studied across Iran, Palangan was one of only eight recognized for both culture and architecture. That distinction makes it a key tourist destination every year.
Kurdish Thousand Daffs Festival unites tradition with tourism, drawing attention to this remote yet resilient region.
The village also holds global status. In 2021, UNESCO added the Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat to its World Heritage List. That title honored its agropastoral lifestyle and terraced design.
Locals keep that heritage alive through events like the festival. The Daf, more than just an instrument, connects generations through rhythm and reverence.
Tourists filled Palangan’s narrow paths to witness the scenes. Cameras captured colorful outfits, synchronized performances, and moments of spiritual reflection.
In every corner of the village, tradition pulsed with energy. The sounds of the Daf blended with chants, creating an atmosphere that felt both ancient and alive.
Kurdish Thousand Daffs Festival unites tradition and celebrates Kurdish identity in a place where history lives on.
By hosting this event each year, Palangan stands as a symbol of cultural strength. The people preserve their roots while opening doors to the world.
Kurdish Thousand Daffs Festival unites tradition—and Palangan proudly keeps that rhythm going.