The social phenomenon of prayer writing in Iran, however, was not a new invention. It dates back to the pre-Islamic period, to the era of the Persian Prophet, a priestess believed to have served as the head oracle at the Apollonian shrine. According to legend, this prophetess foretold the conquests of Alexander the Great, and her legacy laid the foundation for what would eventually be transformed into a uniquely Iranian form of religious-mystical practice.
2. The Mamazar Tradition
Over the centuries, the role of the Persian priestess evolved into the mysterious and matriarchal tradition of the Mamazar — a title bestowed upon female mystics who claimed exclusive knowledge of secret spells, prayers, and talismans. Each Mamazar guarded her knowledge with utmost secrecy, transmitting it only to a chosen successor. These spells, many of which were based on the occult sciences of Jafar and Gematria (numerology), were considered sacred and efficacious.
In the documentary Music of the Zar, the coastal Mamazar Halimeh Sarhani-Kaneh offers a rare glimpse into this tradition. Operating in southern Iran, she openly discusses her reliance on ancient systems of knowledge passed down through generations. The Mamazar’s role is not merely that of a healer or magician; she is an embodiment of ancestral wisdom, often called upon in rituals of spirit possession (like Zar ceremonies), where her words and charms mediate between the living and the spiritual world.