گردشگری فرهنگ (Oct 2023)

The Influence of Ritualistic Landscapes on Public Perceptions for Advancing Tourism The Case of the Haft-Cheshmeh Bridge and the Nousti Ceremony in Ardabil

  • Nasrin Mohammadi Irloo,
  • Vahid Heidar Nattaj

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22034/toc.2023.407259.1131
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 14
pp. 38 – 49

Abstract

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Ritual Tourism is a fundamental concept in the field of tourism that can breathe life and meaning into a landscape. A ritualistic landscape can be defined as a fusion of continuous historical behaviors in a space that has, over time, forged a distinct identity for that location. One such ritualistic landscape is the Haft-Cheshmeh Bridge in Ardabil, which serves as the venue for the NOUSTI ceremony. In this present study, with a special focus on this site, we delved into the roots of this ritual and explored the impact of the ritualistic landscape on people’s perceptions and its utilization potential for the advancement of tourism.This research aims to introduce the “NOUSTI” ritual alongside the Haft-Cheshmeh Bridge in Ardabil and examine the roots of this ritual and the cultural landscape’s influence on the mindset of the citizens.To fulfill the goal of the study, we used library research, field observations, interviews with local residents, and discussions with informed experts in the field of NOUSTI ritual and the cultural landscape’s impact on the bridge. The research findings were analyzed and examined using MaxQDA 2020 software.The results indicate that the NOUSTI ritual at the Haft-Cheshmeh Bridge in Ardabil has its roots in mythological beliefs, the sanctity of water, and the desires of ethnic communities stemming from social and climatic characteristics. Water, as a sacred element since ancient times, has been the primary source of life and the formation of societies for the Iranian people. Various rituals are held based on the connection with nature and the mastery of the four elements: water, fire, wind, and earth. The findings of this research can lead to a deeper understanding of the relationship between culture, landscape, and the people’s mindset in creating cultural tourism and collective behavior at this location, enhancing the sense of place among citizens. Furthermore, recognizing and developing these rituals can contribute to the development of cultural tourism and the elevation of the local identity of the Haft-Cheshmeh Bridge.

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