Arekh Thulay (also Árékh, Yarékh or Iarékh) was a leader of the old Persian Dulmat Rites. In several Persihaib-based cultures Arekh is a disputed anti-religious icon due to his participation in the Albhub-Hamni, the imprisonment of more than 800 clerics during the "Parherba" period from 842 - 849. Today Árékh is seen as the reincarnation of the first ancient anti-populistic religious campaigner in Persia, Ulbhadai.
The "non-existing cultural and religious roots of Arekh Thulay" (Delham, p. 152) make him the "first choice as a symbol for today's anti religious movements in the Non-Western world." His first name could be seen on unambiguous flags, papers and essays during the Turkic Rule.
Name
Although the meaning of the name Árékh is widely discussed, it most likely means "Defender of the Dulmat". The word contains the vowel "Áré" - a linguistic basic structure for opposed syntactic forms, and the half-word "Kh" which stands for "Khalep". "Khalep" in turn is the religious umbrella term for "Dulmad" or "Dulmat", especially the Dulmat Rites.
Person
Arekh Thulay was born between 822 and 825 in Dasht-e Kavir, although his birth or actual presence in that area has only been proven by the Dulmat Rites. His life as an infant is widely discussed. Most likely he lived with his aunt and uncle, went on to become a Shepherd and found soon more and more fellows due to his religious speeches in front of peasant audiences. He soon created the cult of Dulmat, wrote the Dulmat Rites and became an anti-religious leader praising his "neutral bible" (Gardner, p. 75ff). He described his vision of the Albhub-Hamni years before he actually started what he called his "personal war against all religious lies and leaders" (Breckmann & Hofer, p. 274). He was killed shortly afterwards by one of his closest confidants.
References
Further reading
- Walter Delham, Persia and the Ancient World, Gregoryus Press, 1998
- Rebecca Gardner, Religious Leaders in Ancient History, Degheimer, 2004
- Albert Breckmann & Steve Hofer, A retrospective. War in the Pershiha Empire, Degheimer, 2005
Category:9th century in Iran Category:Iranian religious leaders