The essence of being a Parsi

The term Parsi refers to a member of the larger of the two Zoroastrian communities, the other being the Irani community.

Although the Parsis originally emigrated from Iran over 10 centuries ago, they have lost social or familial ties to the people of that region, and do not share language or recent history with them. Over the centuries since the first Zoroastrians arrived in India, the Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while simultaneously maintaining or developing their own distinct customs and traditions (and thus ethnic identity). This in turn has given the Parsi community a rather peculiar standing: they are Indians in terms of national affiliation, language and history, but not typically Indian (constituting only 0.006% of the total population) in terms of consanguinity or cultural, behavioural and religious practices. Genealogical DNA tests to determine purity of lineage have brought mixed results. One study supports the Parsi contention (Nanavutty 1970, p. 13) that they have maintained their Persian roots by avoiding intermarriage with local populations. In that 2002 study of the Y-chromosome (patrilineal) DNA of the Parsis of Pakistan, it was determined that Parsis are genetically closer to Iranians than to their neighbours (Qamar et al. 2002, p. 1119). However, a 2004 study in which Parsi mitochondrial DNA (matrilineal) was compared with that of the Iranians and Gujaratis determined that Parsis are genetically closer to Gujaratis than to Iranians. Taking the 2002 study into account, the authors of the 2004 study suggested "a male-mediated migration of the ancestors of the present-day Parsi population, where they admixed with local females [...] leading ultimately to the loss of mtDNA of Iranian origin".

The definition of who is (and who is not) a Parsi is a matter of great contention within the Zoroastrian community in India. Generally accepted to be a Parsi is a person who is:

a) directly descended from the original Persian refugees; and

b) has been formally admitted into the Zoroastrian religion. In this sense, Parsi is an ethno-religious designator.

Some members of the community additionally contend that a child must have a Parsi father to be eligible for introduction into the faith, but this assertion is considered by most to be a violation of the Zoroastrian tenets of gender equality, and may be a remnant of an old legal definition of Parsi.

It’s not easy, being a member of a community about which the doom-sayers are always predicting rapid annihilation, unless they change to embrace radical concepts of inclusionary existence. Even so, it is a blessing to belong to and be recognized as a Parsi, with all the  history that the term connotes.

Until the age of 23 I was surrounded by people who knew who a parsi was, or at least had a vague idea of us being ‘fire worshippers’ and having a unique system for disposal of our dead.  It was when I went abroad (UK, WALES) for my further studies I realized that I was a novelty.

I was Indian, by virtue of the fact that I came from India, but I was not Hindu or Muslim by religion. So then what was I?? Was I Persian? Hispanic? Asian?? The opinions were many but no concrete answers. My origins were subject to much scrutiny and wonder and when I finally said, “Parsi Zoroastrian,” I got the proverbial blank stare and the, “Whaaat…Zoro-who?.” And that became my first foray into explaining the who, what, where, of being a Parsi Irani Zoroastrian. People were always in awe of meeting a Zoroastrian; it was almost like people felt I should be placed in a museum as a species preserved!  Besides gaining a greater understanding of who I was, I learned a great deal about what was unique to being Parsi Irani Zoroastrian and why it mattered to me.  Especially in Europe where I realized that though the general public knew very little about my religion / community, my university had a course on Zoroastrianism which is not there anywhere in India.

I remember meeting up with Peter Clark who was then teaching the religion as a subject to the undergrads at the University of Wales, Cardiff and who had written a book “Zoroastrianism "An Introduction to an Ancient Faith”.  I first met him at a pub in cardiff and the gentleman was smoking with a glass of “guinness” ( for those not aware is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) at St. James's Gate, Dublin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness) in his hands. On seeing me approaching him he instantly stubbed the cigarette and apologized for smoking in front of a “fire-worshipper”. Little did Mr. Clarke know that so many of the Parsis smoked themselves. He was most inquisitive about how we practice the religion and what our customs were and how we managed to maintain our identity even though our population was so minute.

Back in Mumbai (the epi-center of all things considered Bawa / Parsi) surrounded by a community that has engrained itself within the Indian mosaic, but with a youth population that is disenfranchised from this Parsi Irani identity that we have so hard tried to maintain.  The community adults are torn between the politics of today and a religion of yesterday and the youth seem to find this in-fighting as a legitimate excuse to keep away.  The Parsis have lived in India from the 10th century, escaping persecution and the Arab invasion what is modern day Iran, and settled in India.  Over the centuries, Parsis have been known for their ethical and moral value system, for their professional drive for excellence and for their ‘sweetening of the milk cup’.

Playing a vital role in creating modern India, from industry to trade, finance, medicine, government, art, architecture, society and many other avenues, the Parsis have left their mark all over India’s financial capital, Mumbai, as well as the Indian sub-continent.  But as a young Parsi, I have to ask what next? How long will we rest on the laurels of our ancestors before we create a history of our own.  In the 21st century, what does the label Parsi Irani Zoroastrian mean? When is the gen next going to stand up and be counted?