Nomads Tour in Iran

There are about one and a half million nomads in Iran, extending from the border of Turkmanistan to the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Most of these tribes, the Kurds, the Lurs, the Bakhtiaris, the Guilaks (on the Caspian Coast) and the Baluchis are the original invaders who, in the first millennium BC, swept down from Central Asia and settled in various parts of the Iranian Plateau. Most of the tribes in central Iran are from pure Aryan stock, while other tribes such as the Arabs of Khuzestan and Khorassan, the Turkish tribes of Quchan, the Qashqai tribes, the Shahsevan and Afshar tribes of Azerbaijan and the Turkmens are remnants of races that have passed through Iran at various periods of history.

Traditionally, there has always existed a close link in Iran between the ruling dynasty and the domination of one particular tribe or ethnic group./ More

QASHQAI PEOPLE: MEETING THE AUTHENTIC IRANIAN NOMADS
Iran has with one of the biggest nomad populations of any country. And not only this, but these Iranian nomads are also classified into different sub-groups, according to their ethnicity, origin and even language. Around Shiraz, there’s one group of nomads called Qashqai. Originally, they came from Turkey but, even though Turkish is their first language, most of them speak fluent Persian as well. Like most Iranians, they are Shia Muslims.

Qashqai people, also known as Ghashghaei, are one of the Iranian nomadic tribes that keep on moving across the Zagros Mountains. In winter they live in the southern part but, as soon as the summer comes and the heat starts to become unbearable, they start moving north. Their flocks of sheep and goats are their main source of income. From these animals, they get meat, cheese, and milk. They also sell the newborns at the markets of Shiraz.

Qashqai people: meeting the authentic Iranian nomads

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Nomads Tour in Iran

There are about one and a half million nomads in Iran, extending from the border of Turkistan to the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Most of these tribes, the Kurds, the Lurs, the Bakhtiaris, the Guilaks (on the Caspian Coast) and the Baluchis are the original invaders who, in the first millennium BC, swept down from Central Asia and settled in various parts of the Iranian Plateau. Most of the tribes in central Iran are from pure Aryan stock, while other tribes such as the Arabs of Khuzestan and Khorassan, the Turkish tribes of Quchan, the Qashqai tribes, the Shahsevan and Afshar tribes of Azerbaijan and the Turkmens are remnants of races that have passed through Iran at various periods of history.

Traditionally, there has always existed a close link in Iran between the ruling dynasty and the domination of one particular tribe or ethnic group./ More

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Nomads spread all around Iran in different regions including west and south-west, East and south-east, north west and finally north east and center. Each region is resident to some of the tribes who live in that area; Afshar tribe in the north-east, Balouch in the south-east, Shahsavan in the North West are just a few examples. Still, the biggest nomadic population lives in the west and south-west near Zagros Mountains located in 6 south-western provinces including Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Isfahan, Chahar-Mahal Bakhtiari, kohkilooye and Fars.

Bakhtiaris and Ghashghaees
The biggest and most well-known tribes in Iran are Bakhtiaris, Ghashghaees and Khamseh. Bakhriaris as the biggest nomadic tribe who live on western part of Chahar Mahal province and move along way to the East of Khouzestan province in the winter. Ghashghaee (Qashqaee), the second famous nomadic tribe, live in different parts of Fars, the south part of Isfahan and near the Persian Gulf. Most of the year, they are on the move between their summer and winter resorts and they stay mainly in big rectangular tents. Although, many of these were forced to settle down some 100 years ago or decided to abandon their nomadic life, still some big population of nomads is on the move. There are approximately one million moving nomads divided into 96 major tribes.

As the settlement and passing routes of Bakhtiaris and Ghashghaees overlap with touristy routes, there are many possibilities for paying a visit.  In fact, Fars province is hosting the biggest nomadic population probably because the biggest nomadic tribes reside (at least temporarily) in this region. Some of the tribes pass through the Fars province; others move from southern parts to the northern parts and take a shorter trip to reach their summer destination. The latter reside in the plains near ZarinDasht, Neyriz, Fasa , Simakan,  Ghir, FirouzAbad, Farashband, and Kazeroon and then move to  Abadeh, Eghlid, Bavanat, Sepidan, Khorambid, and Pasargadae to find their summer resort. The spring movement usually takes place after the New Year at the beginning of April.

Needless to say that famous Sassanid sites are located in Firouzabad and Kazeroon which are common routes for these tribes as well.  As Isfahan and Shiraz are major tourist destinations, it is common to plan a visit near Isfahan (Semirom) and near Shiraz (FirouzAbad or Kohmare) where they usually reside for a few months.
Nomadic life has many interesting aspect which cannot be explained in a short article. Their attractive colorful dresses, special music, invaluable handicrafts, different type of carpets such as Glim, Jajim, Gabbe are a few examples of their fabulous life. Fortunately, their genuine art and products are still preserved and unaffected by modernity. But to enjoy these extraordinary and amazing aspects, you have to experience it first-hand.

Itinerary
IRAN nomads tour in warm seasons is approximately from May to October. We say “approximately” because the arriving of the warm seasons can vary in different years for a couple of weeks. Our route in Iran to meet the nomads in warm season is usually the colder areas of southwest, west and northwest of Iran and depending the length of the time you want to stay with nomads and the tribes you want to meet we can adjust the itinerary.

Please note that this description is by no means complete. It was a mere attempt to give tourists a general account of various nomadic tribes scattered in different parts of Iran. To have a deeper sense of this aspect of Persian land, further readings and a personal visit are beyond question.

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Arasbaran, northwestern Iran, is a mountainous region. Its brilliant history and magnificent natural landscapes are great for ecotourism. Since 1976, UNESCO has registered 72,460 hectares of the region as biosphere reserve. Iranian nomads spend hot days of summer in Arasbaran.

ARASBARAN in UNESCO
This biosphere reserve situated in the north of Iran at the border to Armenia and Azerbaijan belongs to the Caucasus Iranian Highlands. In-between the Caspian, Caucasus and Mediterranean region, the area covers mountains up to 2,200 meters, high alpine meadows, semi-arid steppes, rangelands and forests, rivers and springs.
Arasbaran is the territory of about 23,500 nomads who are mainly living in the buffer and transition zones (2000). Economic activities in the biosphere reserve are mainly agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, apiculture, handicrafts and tourism, but business activities can also be found in urbanized areas. (more)
Photo: Masoumeh Fariborzi

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