A popular horse-riding game in Iran with music and storytelling, Chogān has a history of over 2,000 years and is mostly played at royal courts and urban fields. A team-based sport in which players pass the ball through the opposing team's goalposts using a wooden stick.
In the Sasannian Empire, chowgan was part of the royal education system for the Sasanians. The Romans adopted it and called it tzykanion. During the reign of Theodosius II, in the tzykanisterion, tzykanion was played by the Roman imperial court. By the Tang dynasty (618–907), polo was well-established in the Chinese.
A Chogan team consists of two riders and their goal is to pass the Guy (ball) through the opposing team's goals by using a Chogan (wooden stick). Players compete in a large open area known as a Meydan, in several “Chukkehs” (rounds). Each Meydan is different, as are the number of Chukkehs and the number of "Choganbazin" (players There are three pieces of Chogan: Choganbazi (the main game), corresponding musical pieces, and narration (Naqqali, Morshedkhani).
Because the game needs several Chogan horses, a skilled Choganbazin, and a level Meydan, it is mostly performed in specific places and large events, such as Nowrouz. The artists often participate at the game from their own initiative and without any compensation. They usually tell stories and poems about the local, national, and mythological areas and used local tunes and melodies. Performing in various areas, the local literature and music of the specific areas are promoted which reinforces their sense of belonging, whether it's local, national, or ethnic.
Various Chogan skills are often passed down informally and orally by parents and their children, or masters and apprentices. Considering the reasons which will be cited in the social functions section, it is very appealing to the youth to learn this game. As a result, the masters and veterans in society have gained a high social standing. Apprentices are encouraged to display their creativity when learning about the music and storytelling related to the harvest festival.
Over decades, Chogan practices have continued to be actively safeguarded by local practitioners and their families. However, Chogan associations have been formed, which hold training courses, support local masters, and help transmit aspects of Chogan while simultaneously safeguarding local diversity. Many motifs used in Iranian literature, art, handicrafts, and architectural ornaments are derived from Chogan.