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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About Qeshm
The largest island in the Persian Gulf, Qeshm (also known as Gheshm) is fringed with biologically diverse mangrove forests, attractive beaches and 60 Bandari villages. Its sun-scorched interior features geologically significant canyons, hills, caves and valleys, most of which are now protected as part of the Unesco-recognised Qeshm Island Geopark.

Qeshm is a duty-free zone – a sort of poor person’s Kish – but in a Gulf increasingly full of gleaming skyscrapers it remains refreshingly attached to the age-old Bandari way of life. Here, locals wear traditional dress, live in houses cooled by badgirs (windtowers) and work in boat-building yards turning out lenges, the large wooden cargo boats that have criss-crossed the Gulf for centuries.

The island has an abundance of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, dolphins and turtles. Local communities are heavily involved in projects to protect the environment, and there is some disquiet about the effect that the country’s first heavy oil refinery, currently being constructed on the island’s southern coast, might have on the hitherto pristine natural landscape. Construction of the refinery is scheduled for completion in 2013.
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Turkmen wedding
Nearly two million Turkmen can be found living along the northern edges of Iran, just south of the Turkmenistan border. For centuries the Turkmen lived as nomadic herdsmen. In more recent years, however, many have changed to a “semi-nomadic lifestyle,” living in permanent homes as well as in tents. Today most of them are farmers and cattle breeders.

In Turkmen culture, wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies. Religious beliefs and ancient people’s traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies.

Turkmen still live in extended families where various generations can be found under the same roof, especially in rural areas. Many tribal customs still survive among modern Turkmen. Unique to Turkmen culture is kalim, which is a groom’s “dowry” that can be quite expensive and often results in the widely practiced tradition of bridal kidnapping.

In Turkmen culture, wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies. Religious beliefs and ancient people’s traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies. Today the traditions lost their original meaning, got the symbolical one, and some traditions transformed into the relative ones. But, on the whole, wedding continue to save the traditional characteristics.
As so often happens in the East, all costs directly related to marriage rest upon the groom’s family shoulders. Therefore, all relatives of the groom’s family help in preparation of the wedding.
The tradition of the obligatory ransom for the bride did not lose its actuality. In addition, the groom’s part bears the expenses of the wedding. That is why, if there is a son in the family, the parents begin to lay up money while he is still a minor.

A few words should be said concerning the ransom, it is a very good opportunity for girl’s parents to improve their financial position. But still a newborn boy is welcomed more than a girl, as the son stays with his parents after the age and marriage.
In Turkmenistan exactly in nine days before the wedding, the dowry is sent to the groom’s house. The utensils, clothes and carpets are included in the dowry. The dowry was prepared long before, many years beforehand, and it was made by the bride herself. Sometimes she had no time and her close relatives and friends helped her. They might weave and embroider all the necessary for the yurt, as well as the whole complete set of clothes.
Once the wedding procession was one of the brightest moment during the ceremony. The solemn ceremony was gaily decorated. The jingling bells and shawls were hung on the horse harness. Girls and women in holiday costumes sat on the camels, adorned with magnificent carpets. If in the past camels were as the wedding convoy, but now cars compose the wedding motorcade. In Turkmenistan, instead of traditional balloons and ribbons it is to decorate cars with special scarves.
The traditions of woman wedding costume are rich and diverse.

For example, red dress is one of the most widespread variants. The dress from silk homespun fabric – ketene, studded with silver or gilded pendants from the embroidered collar till the hem, it is supplemented with the stylish thrown robe, the coat-breasts of which are covered with the elegant armour and silver ornaments. The bride’s head and hair are decorated with silk embroidered tyubeteika and adornments for plaits: silver chains, bells and pendants. As before, ancient Turkmen jewelry is of special preference in bride’s costume. Extremely thin on the manufacturing technique and strict in their elegant style, they surround the bride with the aura of mystery. Just as in the past, the robe-cape covers the bride’s head dress, it is almost embroidered with colorful ornaments.

After the end of the wedding, a little more than a month, already married daughter can go to her parents’ house to visit them. In the house of her parents the separate festival is organized. During the festival there is one more ritual. The young bride is dressed in a special attire – red gown in a narrow strip along the vertical. The young woman wears the olive shawl, and she goes back home in this dress.
To this day, the Turkmen wedding has kept the unique atmosphere of ancient traditions, which makes it a wonderful, bright and unusual event.

Also you can see Turkmen wedding photo here

The post Photo: Turkmen traditional wedding in a village appeared first on IRAN This Way.

Turkmen wedding
Nearly two million Turkmen can be found living along the northern edges of Iran, just south of the Turkmenistan border. For centuries the Turkmen lived as nomadic herdsmen. In more recent years, however, many have changed to a “semi-nomadic lifestyle,” living in permanent homes as well as in tents. Today most of them are farmers and cattle breeders.

In Turkmen culture, wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies. Religious beliefs and ancient people’s traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies.

Turkmen still live in extended families where various generations can be found under the same roof, especially in rural areas. Many tribal customs still survive among modern Turkmen. Unique to Turkmen culture is kalim, which is a groom’s “dowry” that can be quite expensive and often results in the widely practiced tradition of bridal kidnapping.

In Turkmen culture, wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies. Religious beliefs and ancient people’s traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies. Today the traditions lost their original meaning, got the symbolical one, and some traditions transformed into the relative ones. But, on the whole, wedding continue to save the traditional characteristics.
As so often happens in the East, all costs directly related to marriage rest upon the groom’s family shoulders. Therefore, all relatives of the groom’s family help in preparation of the wedding.
The tradition of the obligatory ransom for the bride did not lose its actuality. In addition, the groom’s part bears the expenses of the wedding. That is why, if there is a son in the family, the parents begin to lay up money while he is still a minor.

A few words should be said concerning the ransom, it is a very good opportunity for girl’s parents to improve their financial position. But still a newborn boy is welcomed more than a girl, as the son stays with his parents after the age and marriage.
In Turkmenistan exactly in nine days before the wedding, the dowry is sent to the groom’s house. The utensils, clothes and carpets are included in the dowry. The dowry was prepared long before, many years beforehand, and it was made by the bride herself. Sometimes she had no time and her close relatives and friends helped her. They might weave and embroider all the necessary for the yurt, as well as the whole complete set of clothes.
Once the wedding procession was one of the brightest moment during the ceremony. The solemn ceremony was gaily decorated. The jingling bells and shawls were hung on the horse harness. Girls and women in holiday costumes sat on the camels, adorned with magnificent carpets. If in the past camels were as the wedding convoy, but now cars compose the wedding motorcade. In Turkmenistan, instead of traditional balloons and ribbons it is to decorate cars with special scarves.
The traditions of woman wedding costume are rich and diverse.

For example, red dress is one of the most widespread variants. The dress from silk homespun fabric – ketene, studded with silver or gilded pendants from the embroidered collar till the hem, it is supplemented with the stylish thrown robe, the coat-breasts of which are covered with the elegant armour and silver ornaments. The bride’s head and hair are decorated with silk embroidered tyubeteika and adornments for plaits: silver chains, bells and pendants. As before, ancient Turkmen jewelry is of special preference in bride’s costume. Extremely thin on the manufacturing technique and strict in their elegant style, they surround the bride with the aura of mystery. Just as in the past, the robe-cape covers the bride’s head dress, it is almost embroidered with colorful ornaments.
After the end of the wedding, a little more than a month, already married daughter can go to her parents’ house to visit them. In the house of her parents the separate festival is organized. During the festival there is one more ritual. The young bride is dressed in a special attire – red gown in a narrow strip along the vertical. The young woman wears the olive shawl, and she goes back home in this dress.
To this day, the Turkmen wedding has kept the unique atmosphere of ancient traditions, which makes it a wonderful, bright and unusual event.

Also you can see Turkmen wedding photo here

The post Turkmen traditional wedding ceremony+Photo appeared first on IRAN This Way.

Turkmen wedding
Nearly two million Turkmen can be found living along the northern edges of Iran, just south of the Turkmenistan border. For centuries the Turkmen lived as nomadic herdsmen. In more recent years, however, many have changed to a “semi-nomadic lifestyle,” living in permanent homes as well as in tents. Today most of them are farmers and cattle breeders.

Turkmen still live in extended families where various generations can be found under the same roof, especially in rural areas. Many tribal customs still survive among modern Turkmen. Unique to Turkmen culture is kalim, which is a groom’s “dowry” that can be quite expensive and often results in the widely practiced tradition of bridal kidnapping.

In Turkmen culture, wedding is not possible without national traditions and ceremonies. Religious beliefs and ancient people’s traditions became intertwined in wedding ceremonies. Today the traditions lost their original meaning, got the symbolical one, and some traditions transformed into the relative ones. But, on the whole, wedding continue to save the traditional characteristics.
As so often happens in the East, all costs directly related to marriage rest upon the groom’s family shoulders. Therefore, all relatives of the groom’s family help in preparation of the wedding.
The tradition of the obligatory ransom for the bride did not lose its actuality. In addition, the groom’s part bears the expenses of the wedding. That is why, if there is a son in the family, the parents begin to lay up money while he is still a minor.

A few words should be said concerning the ransom, it is a very good opportunity for girl’s parents to improve their financial position. But still a newborn boy is welcomed more than a girl, as the son stays with his parents after the age and marriage.
In Turkmenistan exactly in nine days before the wedding, the dowry is sent to the groom’s house. The utensils, clothes and carpets are included in the dowry. The dowry was prepared long before, many years beforehand, and it was made by the bride herself. Sometimes she had no time and her close relatives and friends helped her. They might weave and embroider all the necessary for the yurt, as well as the whole complete set of clothes.
Once the wedding procession was one of the brightest moment during the ceremony. The solemn ceremony was gaily decorated. The jingling bells and shawls were hung on the horse harness. Girls and women in holiday costumes sat on the camels, adorned with magnificent carpets. If in the past camels were as the wedding convoy, but now cars compose the wedding motorcade. In Turkmenistan, instead of traditional balloons and ribbons it is to decorate cars with special scarves.
The traditions of woman wedding costume are rich and diverse.

For example, red dress is one of the most widespread variants. The dress from silk homespun fabric – ketene, studded with silver or gilded pendants from the embroidered collar till the hem, it is supplemented with the stylish thrown robe, the coat-breasts of which are covered with the elegant armour and silver ornaments. The bride’s head and hair are decorated with silk embroidered tyubeteika and adornments for plaits: silver chains, bells and pendants. As before, ancient Turkmen jewelry is of special preference in bride’s costume. Extremely thin on the manufacturing technique and strict in their elegant style, they surround the bride with the aura of mystery. Just as in the past, the robe-cape covers the bride’s head dress, it is almost embroidered with colorful ornaments.
After the end of the wedding, a little more than a month, already married daughter can go to her parents’ house to visit them. In the house of her parents the separate festival is organized. During the festival there is one more ritual. The young bride is dressed in a special attire – red gown in a narrow strip along the vertical. The young woman wears the olive shawl, and she goes back home in this dress.
To this day, the Turkmen wedding has kept the unique atmosphere of ancient traditions, which makes it a wonderful, bright and unusual event.

The post Turkmen traditional wedding ceremony + Photo appeared first on IRAN This Way.

Gilan: A Paradise

The province of Gilan is 13,952 km2 (5,387 sq mi) in the north of Iran. lies just west of the province of Mazandaran, along the Caspian Sea. The center of the province is the city of Rasht. Other towns in the province include Astara, Astaneh-e Ashrafiyyeh, Rudsar, LangRud, Souma’eh Sara, Talesh, Fuman, Masouleh, and Lahijan. The main harbor port of the province is Bandar-e Anzali (previously Bandar-e Pahlavi).

Archaeological excavations reveal the antiquity of the province to date back to prior to the last Ice Age. In the 6th century BCE, the inhabitants of Gilan allied with Cyrus the Great and overthrew the Medes. The province then passed from the control of one dynasty to the next.

Gilan has a humid temperate climate with plenty of annual rainfall. The Alborz range provides further diversity to the land in addition to the Caspian coasts. Large parts of the province are mountainous, green and forested. The coastal plain along the Caspian Sea is similar to that of Mazandaran, mainly used for rice paddies.

The majority of the population speaks Gilaki, a Persian dialect, as their first language while many children, particularly in the cities, tend to use standard Persian amongst themselves.

This province is a popular destination for domestic tourists. The coast of Caspian Sea is one of the major holiday retreat; and of course the small village of Masouleh in the hills south-east of Rasht, where the roof of one house is the courtyard of the next house above, has a very magnetic attraction.
Gilan has a strong culinary tradition, from which several dishes have come to be adopted across Iran, like Mirza Ghasemi. This richness derives in part from the climate, which allows for a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and nuts grown in the province. Seafood is particularly a strong component of Gilani (and Mazandarani) cuisine. Iranian Caviar from this region is a delicacy that has been widely prized and served on millions of tables all over the world.

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Iranian Kazakhs live mainly in the Golestān Province in northern Iran. According to ethnologue.org, however, there were 3000 Kazakhs living in Iran in 1982 in the city of Gorgan.

The number of Iranian Kazakhs might have been slightly higher, because many of them returned to Kazakhstan after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, from where they had immigrated to Iran after the Bolshevik October Revolution (1917).

Currently, the city of Gorgan contains 5000 ethnic Kazakhs, who speak Kazakh, Persian and Russian on varying levels.

Photo: Aboutaleb Nadri, Mehr

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