A Melting Pot of Ethnicities
Bandar Abbas’s culture is shaped by its diverse population, which includes Persians, Arabs, Baluchis, Afro-Iranians, Bandari-speaking people, and migrants from the Indian subcontinent and East Africa. This melting pot is the result of centuries of maritime trade and migration, which brought in new languages, cuisines, clothing styles, and religious practices.
The Bandari dialect, a variant of Persian infused with Arabic, Hindi, and Swahili terms, is a linguistic testament to the city’s multicultural past. Traditional music from Bandar Abbas, characterized by heavy percussion and call-and-response chanting, is deeply influenced by African and Arab rhythms, especially in genres like zar and lewa. Local festivals and ceremonies often include these performances, especially during weddings and religious events.
Cuisine and Local Traditions
The cuisine of Bandar Abbas is rich and aromatic, featuring seafood, tamarind, spices, and dates. Dishes such as meygoo polo (shrimp rice), samak mashwi (grilled fish), and khoresh-e qaliyeh mahi (a spicy fish stew) reflect the city’s coastal nature. Traditional Bandari cuisine also includes tropical fruits and sweet-and-sour flavor profiles uncommon in northern Iranian culinary traditions.