Mareke Giri

Mareke Giri (Persian: معرکه‌گیری, lit.

'fighting or combat') is a type of traditional street performance in Iran.

[1][2][3] The Mareke Gir is a person who entertains people with his "special powers", such as breaking chains with his arms, breaking stones with his hands, handling big cats, and/or handling snakes.

[1][4][5][6] Mareke Giri are free shows in public locations; viewers will give the performer some money to encourage them.

[7] Occasionally the shows will have a mix religious undertones, and sometimes an element of fraud will occur.

Persian dervish, holding a huge snake in his arms (1870s)
Persian dervish , holding a huge snake in his arms (1870s)
Mareke Giri (December 2014) in Tajrish Square, Tehran
Mareke Giri (December 2014) in Tajrish Square , Tehran