Ahriman – Zulmat Hukmdori

Ahriman – Ruler of Darkness by Tajik author Gulsifat Shahidi is a work of fiction that examines domestic violence, patriarchal authority, and the social pressures affecting family life in contemporary Tajikistan. Through the story of the Qurbani family, a large household living in a small town, Shahidi explores the psychological and moral consequences of abuse within the home and the devastating impact of entrenched gender inequalities.

At the heart of the narrative is the suffering of women trapped in abusive relationships, whose experiences expose the contradictions between public respectability and private cruelty. Shahidi addresses the social attitudes and traditional expectations that can leave women without support, while examining the circumstances that drive some victims towards despair and suicide. By bringing these difficult realities into the realm of fiction, the author seeks to challenge silence surrounding domestic violence and encourage greater understanding, compassion, and responsibility.

The title invokes Ahriman, a figure associated with evil and destructive forces in ancient Iranian religious and mythological traditions, reflecting the darkness that can take hold of human relationships. Combining social observation with psychological and moral reflection, Shahidi’s work offers a sobering portrayal of family life and a plea for greater awareness of the suffering endured by women.

First published in 2022, Ahriman – Ruler of Darkness confronts a pressing social issue in Tajikistan, questioning patriarchal attitudes and the customs that perpetuate inequality within the family.