The “BANUKA” collection is a project that focuses on ancient Iranian mythical women. As both a producer and a fashion creator, I designed and crafted all the outfits and accessories for this collection from 2017 to 2019. In 2019, this collection was showcased at the Banuka exhibition held in Tehran at the Barouk Art Centre.
Shirin
The Armenian Princesses and the niece and substitute of Mahin Banoo, Sovereign of Armenia and wise woman and faithful wife of Khosrow Parviz. At that time, Armenia was one of the small cities in Iran and the King of Armenia was under supervision of the Iran’s King. Khosrow o Parviz and Shirin created an epic which remained in history forever. Shirin gave birth to four children to Khosro namely Nastur, Shahriar, Foroud and Mardansheh. All of four children were killed in jail.
Love story of Khosrow Parviz and Shirin and her romantic story with Farhad are well-known in Iranian literature. After Khosrow Parviz was killed by a young officer named “Mehr Hormoz” (whose father was border guard of Nim Rooz of “Babel and Iraq” who was punished by Khosrow Parviz two years ago”. She told to her son, Shiruyeh: “I, as Queen of Iran, should organize the most memorable mourning ceremonies for your father, Khosrow Parvbiz”. She attended the funeral of Khosrow Parviz, wearing her best clothing and makeup in great dignity, accompanied by priests. After termination of the funeral ceremonies, she asked the attendees to leave her alone with her husband’s dead body to say goodbye to her husband. Then, she killed herself with a dagger.
Artadokht
She was the Minister of Treasury and Financial Affair of the Iranian government during Ardovan V during Parthian dynasty. As quoted from the Parthian Book, written by Diakov of Russia, the Great Orientalist, she settled tax affairs and committed no mistake in Financial Affairs Department. She flourished the economy during Parthian Emperors. As it is quoted, from among her great tasks in collecting the national incomes was to prevent useless costs especially for the court and collecting taxes from rich people
Rudabeh
She is the daughter of Mehrab Kabuli and the wife of Zal and mother of Rustam. As narrated in Shahnameh Poems, her true love to Zal is one of the most elegant scenes of Shahnameh. At time of birth of Rustam, Rudabeh conducted the cesarean section. Hence, such child delivery should be called “Rustami” not “Cesarean” because Cesar was born many centuries after Rustam.
Atusa
The word “Atusa” means “stylish”. Moreover, it means power and empowerment. Atusa (475-550 B.C.), Iranian Queen, is one of the most prominent ladies in ancient Iran’s history. She is the daughter of Cyrus the Great and Kasandan, Cambodia’s sister and wife of two Achaemenid kings, Cambodia, Dariush I, and mother of King Xerxes.
Atusa was a very beautiful woman. She was both poet and scholar. Thanks to her great wisdom and good thought, Dariush consulted with her in governmental and fatal issues. He totally trusted Atusa. If Dariush attacked a region, royal council was established for administration of governmental issues. Chief and superior on top of the royal council was Queen Atusa.
Herald states on political life of Atusa: “Atusa enjoyed great power and she was interested in accompanying her husband during the battle. She used to assist with Dariush providing her with great thoughts. She commanded several great battles in person providing significant war plots. No information is accessible regarding death of Atusa. We only know that when Xerxes returned from Greece war, Atusa was still alive. Probably, her tomb is located besides that of Cyrus the Great, Rustam’s shrine.
It is quoted: “In Iranian myths, “Homa” has been developed based on mementos of Atusa, Persian Queen and the events occurred during Kings Dariush and Xeres, her husband and her son. In public myths, “Homa” is an auspicious bird that is sometimes called “bird of happiness”. According to the said beliefs, Homa is the same bird as its shadow falls upon any person, he/she will be happy and if it sits on head of an person, he will become a king. It is likely that there is a connection between the words “Homayoun” and “Homayouni” and the word “Homa”.
Gordafarid
Rodafarid or Gordafarid is one of the heroes of Iranian land that is also known as “Scorpion’s daughter” in history. In Rustoam and Sohrab’s epic, she wore the men’s clothing and fought against Sohrab and she was captured by Sohrab as prisoner. However, thanks to her great wisdom, she could be released from prison. Ferdowsi the Great calls her as a fighting woman and braveheart woman of the land of the people with piety.
Katayoun
She is the daughter of Caesar of Rome and wife of King Goshtasb and mother of Esfandiar and one of the first persons who accepted Zarathustra religion. When as commanded by Goshtasb, Esfandiar was going to fight against Rustam, Katayoun seriously disagreed to the said fight. She provided Esfandiar with great advises. However, Esfandiar did not accept her wise advises and became blind during the war with Rustam and then he was killed. Katayoun with deep sorrow and grief, mourned for her beloved son.
Mandana
The word “Mandan” or “Mandana” means “Shah Booy-e-Anbar Siah”, daughter of Azhi Dahak, the last king of Mada who became of the wife of Cambodia, father of Cyrus. The fruit of the said marriage was “Cyrus”. She played a prominent role in transmission of power to Cyrus to a great extent. Mandan was the first group school where selected boys attended. “Bonyan Minhad” taught law to the students of the said School in person and he also taught Cyrus to eradicate the base of oppression and uproar and to always support subordinates. At this School, horsemanship, shooting and fighting were also taught.
Halaleh- Homay Chehr Azad
She was the Iranian female king who became the King of Iran during Kianian as quoted by religious and historic books (391 Pashta 274+Pashta 2). She was the seventh Kiani king whose name is given as “Homay Chehr Azad” and “Homay” and “Hamoon”. She was the mother of Darab. She became the king after Vahooman Sepand Datan”. She was a very beautiful woman and was the King of Iran for 30 years. There are many narrations about her behavior and conduct indicating that during the said 30 years of being the king of Iran, she never committed a wrong behavior and during her era, people left at peace and prosperity.
Faranak
Kordieh
She is the wise sister of Bahram Choobin (during Sasanid Dynasty). Bahram Choobin was from the city of Khafar- Jahrom and Kordan and Bahram’s sister, “Kordieh” was the wife of Ardeshir Babakan. After her brother has taken governance, Kordieh showed great courage and merit in war fields because of which everybody admired her so much. She as generalissimo of her brother’s army, defeated “Tour”, the commander of Khaghan Forde of China in a face to face battle and routed her army.
Artemis
The word “Artemis” or “Artemiz” means “Sincere”. She is the first and the only female admiral in the world. Greek historian quoted that she was distinguished among the world of her time considering her astonishing beauty, prominence and dignity. Artemis is the first Iranian female admiral who received her notification as an admiral from Achaemenid King Khashayar about 2494 years ago. In the year 484 B.C., a command was issued by King Khashayar for marine mobilization to participate in a war against the Greek. Artemis was the commander of Karbeh Land with five warships governed by her joined the Iranian Navy. During this battle, Iran managed to conquer and capture Aetna. Iranian land force consisted of 800000 infantries and 80000 cavalries. Iranian Navy enjoyed 1200 warships and 300 transportation ships.
Moreover, in the year 480 B.C, Artemis attended Salamine War occurred between the Iranian Navy and Greek and she shown great courage because of which she was highly admired by her relatives and friends. During one of the most awkward conditions in Salamine War, and thanks to her great courage, she managed to save parts of the Iranian Navy from being eradicated. Hence, she was honored to receive the command of King Shashayar to be an admiral. She proposed King Khashayar to marry her. This marriage did not occur due to some reasons. During the 1960s (1340s), for the first time in history, the Iranian Navy gave the name of a lady to a great destroyer and it was “Artemis”. Artemis destroyer was thrown into sea during term of service of Admiral Farajollah Resaee and guarded the Iranian coasts on Persian Gulf for many years.