Abstract

This paper is an analysis of whooping-cough, one of Iranian pre-Islamic rituals that functions as a way of defending people against evil. The data collection derived from the three year anthropologic study of the researcher on drama done within 67 Villages of Komeijan region in Markazi province, Iran. The methods and materials in this case were classic literature, Aristotelian dramatic pattern and anthropological approach to drama. The study showed that whooping-cough has done just in Komeijan and the present documents indicated that the last performance went back to 1970. The purpose of the study is the approval of the dramatic aspects of the ritual and clarifying the roots of drama originating from folklore rituals and beliefs. Moreover, the ritual, whooping-cough, had a key role in changing the way of life for inhabitants in Komeijan throughout past centuries.

Key words: Ritual, healing, escapegoat, drama, Aristotelian, whooping-cough, folk beliefs.