My Family Tradition

Almost 50 years ago my aunt started a tradition in my family, when she realized her son’s health was deteriorating and nothing much could be done she made a vow to the Lord, she offered an oblation. Oblation is one the earth’s oldest tradition that runs through almost all cultures and religions. It is a symbolic offering of food to the Lord.  Iran, a country with Shiite Muslims holding the majority, each year in the month of Moharam represents one of the world largest votive offering ceremonies with all sorts of donations.
Now it has been half a century since the start of making pottage for donating in my aunt’s kitchen, the task that initially started with one pot and after her son’s recuperation increased to five pots, these days neither my aunt nor her son is alive, but her legacy of food offering and pottage making still runs through her descendants. This year I have attended this hopefully everlasting family tradition to capture the scenes and documenting a half a century family tradition.

November 2018