On the way to Ahvaz-Susangerd, is a rustic guesthouse called Mozif-e-Heidari (or the Heidari Mozif) which provides a resting place for travelers.
It is located in Bardiye village, six kilometers from Susangerd city, close to Susangerd-Bostan Road.
The village has attracted many more tourists since the eco-lodge opened its doors to guests five years ago, according to Persian daily Donya-e-Eqtesad.
Iranian-Arabs attach great importance to their guests and are extremely hospitable. The hosts were not allowed to receive money from the guests before three days into their stay. They have a long tradition of hosting guests in designated quarters, adjunct to their houses ensuring their comfort and ease. The lodge is called Mozif, literally means a place for festivities and ceremonies, or ‘reception hall’. In the olden days, villagers gathered in Mozifs when they wanted to raise concerns.
It was a separate part of the house, made of reef in an arched shape. An odd number of pillars help the structure stand firm. The use of odd as opposed to even number of pillars has its roots in the people’s belief and also the specialized technique of mozif-construction-which has been registered in the national heritage list. Mozifs have no doors, there is a low entrance, compelling those entering to bow, and thus honoring the people in the room as well as God. The doors are situated in the direction of Qibla (which is is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, and the direction Muslims face during daily prayers).
Mozifs are held in high esteem among Arabs, and like all sacred places have their own set of rituals.
There are now very few people remaining who can master the ins and outs of building such structures.
The Heidari family’s initiative has helped to revive the tradition which was dying out.
Heidari’s Mozif
The last Mozif owned by the Heidari family was demolished many years ago during the Iran-Iraq war, however, sons of the family took the initiative to set up a new one with the help of the village elderly.
What is built is 11 meters in length, 3.5 meters wide, and 4 meters high.
The interior is decorated with carpet, cushions, grate, casket, and coffee drinking cups, which are of central importance!
If tourists stay for a meal, they may be served with foods such as rice and mushroom, stuffed-chicken, and fresh fish-kebab, fish straight from the nearby Shadegan wetlands.
The side dishes usually comprises of local bread, pickles, local dates and salad.
After lunch, it is time for the coffee drinking ritual. This ceremony of the Khuzestani people is registered on the national heritage list. It is somehow complex and surprising. The coffee should be both served and taken with the right hand, and should be drunk directly without placing it down. Also, if guests are not aware of shaking their cups after they have drunk the coffee, they get served another delicious cup of coffee, which is exactly what usually happens!
Furthermore, all the coffee preparation procedures, such as roasting the beans, grinding and brewing, is done in front of the guests.
Handicrafts made out of reef and palm trees are also on offer. Local customs and coffee drinking apparatus are also available.
Notwithstanding the Mozif, there is also much to see outside and places to wander about: There is both desert and jungle easy to reach. In the area, Siah Chadors (nomad’s lodging) have been installed and the Arabs run music programs.
