Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
Traditional Zurkhaneh culture, as one of the most emblematic expressions of Iran’s physical and moral heritage, is deeply rooted in the nation’s historical identity and spiritual values. This ancient institution has functioned not only as a venue for physical training but also as a center for cultivating virtues such as humility, respect, and solidarity among its practitioners. Over centuries, Zurkhaneh rituals have shaped a distinctive educational and social structure grounded in the fusion of physical strength and moral discipline. However, rapid cultural change, modernization, and shifting generational interests have contributed to a gradual erosion of the authentic practices of this traditional sport.
Preserving the originality and cultural essence of Zurkhaneh is now regarded as a critical challenge for scholars and cultural managers. This task extends beyond merely documenting traditional practices; it requires the development of comprehensive strategies that harmonize ancient values with contemporary societal conditions. Understanding how these traditions can be adapted while retaining their ethical and cultural foundations is therefore essential. The survival of Zurkhaneh as a living cultural system depends on integrating its historical identity with modern educational, recreational, and cultural frameworks.
Accordingly, the present study aims to identify and classify the most effective approaches for maintaining Zurkhaneh’s authenticity in the face of contemporary transformations. By emphasizing cultural continuity, social participation, and modern adaptability, this research seeks to propose practical solutions for revitalizing the authentic spirit of Zurkhaneh and ensuring its sustainable development within the current cultural landscape.

Methods
This study is applied in nature and was conducted using a qualitative approach based on Glaserian grounded theory methodology. The findings are intended to serve the authorities and administrators of traditional Zurkhaneh sport. The research population comprised experts with substantive knowledge of the subject. Inclusion criteria were organized into three categories: academic background (a minimum of a bachelor’s degree), professional experience (at least ten years of involvement in Zurkhaneh activities), and research background (a minimum of three contributions to related scholarly work). Fulfilling at least two of these three criteria was considered sufficient to confirm a participant’s expertise.
Purposive sampling was employed to identify the qualitative sample, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached—that is, until no new information emerged from the interviews. Saturation was achieved after ten interviews; a total of twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants to further ensure the reliability of the findings.
The primary data collection instrument was the semi-structured interview. Trustworthiness was established through Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of credibility, transferability, and confirmability. Credibility was ensured by having eight specialists review the research process and by employing two independent coders to code a subset of interviews, thereby verifying consistency across coding perspectives. Transferability was assessed through consultation with three external experts who were not involved in the study. Confirmability was secured by recording and archiving all interviews for subsequent review.
Reliability was examined through a specialized committee review, whose judgments were compared against the initial findings; the consistency between the two sets of assessments confirmed the reliability of results. Data were collected through both library-based and fieldwork methods, and all analyses were conducted using SPSS and MAXQDA software.
Results
The findings were derived from both descriptive analysis of participant characteristics and an in-depth qualitative coding process grounded in grounded theory. Regarding demographic composition, 83.3% of participants were male and 16.7% were female. In terms of educational attainment, 58.3% held doctoral degrees, 25% held master’s degrees, and 16.7% held bachelor’s degrees. Concerning professional experience, 41.7% reported more than 15 years, 33.3% reported between 10 and 15 years, and 25% reported fewer than 10 years. These characteristics confirm that the sample comprised highly knowledgeable and experienced experts in Zurkhaneh cultural heritage.
The qualitative analysis, conducted using MAXQDA and guided by Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, yielded 47 open codes from the twelve interviews. Through axial and selective coding, these codes were organized into six overarching components related to the preservation of Zurkhaneh’s cultural authenticity.
The first component, the Traditional Training System, encompasses codes pertaining to the master–apprentice hierarchy, oral transmission of skills, teacher qualification standards, and the use of classical educational texts. The second component, Preservation of Architecture and Related Arts, includes themes such as safeguarding historical architectural patterns, protecting artistic elements including paintings and tilework, and documenting spatial arrangements and traditional lighting practices. The third component, Revitalization of Symbolic Rituals, addresses the maintenance of regional ceremonies, ritual etiquette, the sequencing of movements and chants, and traditional attire. The fourth component, Regulatory and Protective Frameworks, covers formal bylaws, evaluation criteria, supervisory mechanisms, and disciplinary codes. The fifth component, Foundational Research, reflects scholarly activities such as historical text analysis, oral history collection, comparative studies, and socio-cultural research. The sixth component, Sustainable Cultural Economy, integrates traditional revenue models, cultural tourism development, handicraft markets, dedicated endowment funds, and heritage-oriented branding.
Taken together, these findings delineate a multidimensional and integrative framework for safeguarding Zurkhaneh authenticity, underscoring the combined importance of educational traditions, architectural preservation, ritual continuity, regulatory structures, foundational scholarship, and sustainable economic strategies. Building on these six components, the study proposes an Input–Process–Output (IPO) model for preserving the cultural authenticity of Zurkhanehs.
Conclusion
The findings of this study underscore the multifaceted nature of preserving Zurkhaneh’s cultural authenticity and demonstrate that sustainable safeguarding requires an integrated combination of traditional, structural, educational, and cultural strategies. The identification of six core components—traditional training systems, architectural and artistic preservation, revitalization of symbolic rituals, regulatory frameworks, foundational research, and sustainable cultural economy—provides a comprehensive framework for protecting this element of intangible heritage. These results indicate that authenticity cannot be maintained through isolated interventions but demands a coordinated, long-term approach that aligns traditional values with contemporary social and cultural needs. Expert insights further emphasize the necessity of strengthening documentation practices, supporting cultural practitioners, and fostering community engagement. Overall, this study offers a practical, evidence-based model to guide cultural policymakers and heritage managers in revitalizing Zurkhanehs and ensuring their continued relevance for future generations.
Article Message
By presenting a systematic framework for preserving the cultural authenticity of Zurkhanehs, this study addresses existing research gaps and provides an operational model for cultural policymakers. The integration of the study’s findings with insights from prior research suggests that safeguarding Zurkhanehs as an element of intangible cultural heritage requires a multidimensional perspective—one that simultaneously upholds authenticity and responds to the demands of contemporary society.
Ethical Considerations
In accordance with research ethics principles, the objectives and significance of the study were explained to all participants prior to conducting the interviews. Participation was entirely voluntary, and informed consent was obtained from each participant.
Authors’ Contributions
All authors contributed equally to the design, execution, and preparation of this study.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude to all participants for their time and valuable contributions.