Have you ever wanted to do something out of your comfort zone? Something out of the ordinary, maybe even something that your friends and family would not approve of? For some people traveling to Iran and joining the nomadic transhumance might be one of those out-of-comfort-zone experiences. Our fears and comfort zones sometimes act in strange ways. You might be the kind of person that loves travel and outdoor adventures and far-off places. But when you hear about a travel opportunity, suddenly it gets hard to decide to go. This is absolutely normal. So we thought to address some of the most prevalent fears with kooch when it comes to traveling with IRANomad Tours. Keep reading this to see if you find any of your own fears in the following lines & how you can overcome your fears with kooch:

• • Travel Fears
  • 1. Travel regulations, AKA, can I get a visa?
  • 2. What about Covid19?
  • 3. But I’ve never hiked before! Can I still experience life with the nomads?
  • 4. How can I enjoy the nature when I haven’t had a shower for 5 days?
  • 5. I am worried I might not like the food.
  • 6. How would I survive without internet and phone service?
  • 7. Is there a threat of wild animals where we camp at night?
  • 8. I’m worried I might not be able to form connections with the nomads!

1. Travel regulations, AKA, can I get a visa?

Yes, in almost 99% of cases, you can. The tourist visa process for citizens of the USA, UK, and Canada can take a bit longer, but in almost all cases, there is nothing holding you back from visiting Iran. PS. Of course right now because of Covid, traveling to Iran is only available for journalism purposes.

2. What about Covid19?

Covid19 is still a major problem in Iran, but on the other hand, you can use this opportunity to travel in small groups to Iran’s diverse natural landscapes and villages. That’s why visiting the nomads in Iran is very safe, Covid-wise.

3. But I’ve never hiked before! Can I still experience life with the nomads?

Yes, you can! We have varying levels of tours that are perfect for people of different physical fitness. The most important requirement is to have a love for nature, people, and cultures! All the rest can be fixed. For example, there are nomad families that do a slower version of Kooch, while some others take more difficult routes and do it faster. And even if you find yourself drained during the hike, our guides will cheer you on every step of the way.

4. How can I enjoy the nature when I haven’t had a shower for 5 days?

A valid fear, yet we must remind ourselves that not showering, albeit uncomfortable, is not fatal and this experience is meant to show us how nomads live, with all their hardships and challenges. Think of it as an easier version of the “Survivor” contest. You can find ways to clean up if you come upon a river, or you just have to make-do with wet-wipes and splashes of water and changing your clothes until the hiking part is over.

5. I am worried I might not like the food.

Getting used to foreign food is difficult for everyone, but as much as we try to stick to a nomadic diet while we’re with the nomads, we do bring lots of canned food with us that can more or less resemble the food you eat at home. The truth is, by the end of a day spent hiking with the nomads in the Zagros mountains, you will be hungry enough to devour any kind of food and feel satisfied. Plus, once we’re in the cities, trying authentic Iranian food has proved to be a favorite among all the travelers.

6. How would I survive without internet and phone service?

Even though being disconnected from your loved ones might make them worried for your wellbeing, you can ensure them that you are safe and you will check in with them as soon as the outdoor part of the trip is over. We usually reach a hill where phone service works every two days or so, and when we do, you can send a quick message, or we can send a message on your behalf to your family. You can look at it as a mandatory escape from the online world. Disconnect, and let your mind truly unplug from your other every day worries.

7. Is there a threat of wild animals where we camp at night?

The Zagros region has some bears, coyotes and foxes, but since we sleep where the nomads set up camp, there is no chance that bears would venture so close to where several humans have set up tents. Also, all through the night, the men of the nomad family keep watch around the fire in turn, to stop the wild animals and potential sheep-thieves from approaching.

8. I’m worried I might not be able to form connections with the nomads!

The nomads, just like Iranian people in general, are extremely warm-hearted people that love to host guests. It takes a little bit of time for them to warm up to you, but usually after having a cup of tea around the fire, smiling, and participating in the chores, they will be as loving to you as they are to their own family members. We have seen, many times, that by the end of our trip, both sides are shedding tears and exchanging promises to come back and visit again. Also, the translators/guides won’t leave you alone, and they will help you carry out conversations and form a true bond with the nomads. They are just as curious to learn about your life, as you are about theirs.

The post 8 Things I Wish I Knew Before 2021-22 Kooch appeared first on Iran Nomad Tours.

In less than a month, Nomads are going to move back to the lower altitude of Mt. Zagros where they began their spring migration (Kuch) four months ago. Back then, the majority of people were nomads and each belonged to one main nomadic tribe. So, at times of Kuch, each family followed his own tribe. Usually, brothers & cousins moved together. Now in this article, first, you are going to know about different types of Iran Nomad Tribes, and then you will read more specifically about Bakhtiari Nomads.

Nomad Tribes of Iran

Tribe refers to a group of families who have a feeling of community. Members of a tribe occupy a common territory and follow similar customs. The term may refer to a group of primitive people and families who do transhumance together. It is so common among the people of a tribe to visit one another, intermarry, and meet together for major religious ceremonies. They have a common dialect and customs. Iran has many nomadic tribes. Nomadic tribes[2] of Iran are of two types considering their numbers: Large tribes & small tribes.

Large Tribes

The first group of nomad tribes of Iran is the large tribes. These Nomads also differ in many respects. They are of three groups:

1. Like Bakhtiari Nomads: They are always on the move, and more than 80% of them do seasonal transhumance/migration (Kuch). They always pass through the ancient nomadic paths, and every year in their winter pastures (qishlaq), they stay in the same spots.
2. Like Boyer Ahmad Nomads: A small number of them live in their summer pastures (Yaylaq), while a large number of them are in winter pastures. More than half of them are moving nomads, who do seasonal transhumance.
3. Like Torkaman Nomads: They are settled down and no longer move between pastures. But they move their flocks of goats and sheep in surrounding pastures.

Small Tribes

The second group of nomad tribes is the smaller tribes. In the past, since these small tribes were in danger of being attacked by the larger tribes, they chose to be settled down. Nowadays, many of them are trying moving with their herds (transhumance) again, because they believe ‘Kuch’ is the very epitome of the nomadic lifestyle.

Bakhtiari Nomads: The Biggest Nomad Tribe

There are not so many historical documents about Iran Nomads, and our only document of these indigenous people of Iran is about their political & martial arrangements. These wandering and roaming people mostly have no fixed habitations and are mostly pastoral. They practice transhumance which is proved to be vital for the preservation of nature. But who are Bakhtiari Nomads?

Who are Bakhtiari Nomads?

Bakhtiari tribe or ‘the great Lor’ is one of the most important nomad tribes of Iran. Their territory, known as ‘Bakhtiari Land’, is located in an area between Isfahan and Khuzestan. Mt. Zagros ranges pass through their land, diving it into two geographical regions; mountainous regions in the east, and flats in the west. The mountainous regions are Bakhtiaris’ summer pastures, and the plains and flats are their winter pastures.

They are estimated to be around 500000 people, living in an area of 7500 km. 40% of them (200000) are nomads and semi-nomads who move between summer and winter pastures. They are herdsmen with herds of sheep and goats.

They are of two main groups; ‘Haft-Lang’ and ‘Chahar-Lang’. Each has its own territory. The former move to eastern parts of Khuzestan, such as Andika, Masjed Soleiman, Shooshtar, Izeh, Shahrekord, and Brojen in Chahar-Mahal Bakhtiari.

The latter moves mostly between Dezful and Izeh in Khuzestan, or Daran in Isfahan, and Aligodarz and Brojerd in Lorestan.

Bakhtiari Nomads’ Summer & Winter Pastures

Their summer pastures are in Isfahan’s western highlands. The highest mountain in the area is 4549 m. The winter pastures are in eastern parts of Zagros ranges, and it continues to some parts of Khuzestan province.

Bakhtiari Nomads’ Kuch (Transhumance)

Bakhtiari Nomads do their seasonal transhumance twice a year in spring and autumn from mountains to fields and vice versa. Early in spring, they move from winter pastures to summer pastures, and in autumn they move back. The distance between the two locations is different among different tribes, but it is about 300 km, which takes 10 to 15 days.

Kuch is typical among the nomads, and it happens every year on a regular basis. Each tribe takes the same route each year, and they have their own summer pastures in which no other tribe can stay. Next year again, they set up their tents in the same spot.

Despite all the difficulties, they enjoy their transhumance, and they have so many happy memories of their epic Kuch. Kuch is the typical and unique feature of the nomads. Those who have big flocks are the wealthy ones who have more facilities while they are moving in mountains and pastures, and usually, they choose the longer routes. On the other hand, the less fortunate ones often postpone their transhumance, and they choose the shorter routes.

Nomad’s Daily Shares of Chores

In a nomad family, everybody has her/his own shares of chores. Age and sex are two important factors in assigning the family members their tasks. So, men’s responsibilities are different from women, and children from grown-ups. But there are some works done by both men and women.

Chores done by women are: domestic chores; cooking, washing the dishes, milking, making dairy products, weaving Jajims, carpets, and black tent, fetching water from springs, taking care of the children. They sometimes do shepherding. In the time of kuch, women play an important role in gathering up the things and tent and loading the mules. Men also help them to pack on the day of kuch.

Chores done by men: Men are responsible for economic and political tasks. Dealing with other tribes’ main members and Kalantars, guarding the herd, commuting to villages and cities and doing commerce. When the father is away, the older son does his responsibilities. Farming, renting lands, working in other nomads’ fields are some of their tasks.

It is not common among nomad men to do weaving and knitting. But in some tribes, men also help the women in making Choqa & Jajim.

Chores are done by children: children have a leading role in shepherding and milking the flock. The main shepherd of the flock is always a man since it starts early in the morning till the evening. As the father of a nomad family has some other tasks to take care of, most of the time the sons do shepherding. Children also have their own small flocks of lambs. In nomad families, children learn about their share of responsibilities from childhood. Boys do after their fathers, and girls follow their mothers.

Marriage in Nomad Tribes

Intermarriage is so common among nomad tribes of Iran. They usually get married to someone from their own tribes. They marry early, around fifteen. One of the reasons is the family’s big flocks. Raising big flocks needs more people. The bigger the family, the easier the They make their own clothing for wedding parties and they are mostly light-colored ones.

[2]The common word is “IL” meaning tribe, race, group and a good company

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Known as an outdated way of life, accordingly Nomadic Lifestyle is nowadays on the on edge of extinction. Why? because we’ve failed to see its great practical value in preserving nature. Nowadays different nations are calling for a return to the traditional methods for environmental preservation. We have already had it. So we have every reason to keep and appreciate it.

What causes desertification?

From a scientific point of view, our increasing populations and massive use of technology are resulting in desertification. Nowadays we also create too much bare grounds. The soil must be covered so that Carbon can be preserved in the soil. Otherwise, it goes back to the atmosphere.

Once it was believed desertification is caused by livestock, mostly cattle, sheep and goats, overgrazing the plants, leaving the soil bare and giving off methane. It was thought they are damaging nature. But quite the opposite they are the important factor in preventing desertification.

How to fight against desertification? An Environmental Preservation

In 2013, Allan Savory said: “What we had failed to understand was that these seasonal humidity environments of the world, the soil and the vegetation developed with very large numbers of grazing animals, … large herds dung and urinate all over their own food, and they have to keep moving, and it was that movement that prevented the overgrazing of plants, while the periodic trampling ensured good cover of the soil, as we see where a herd has passed.”

So, you see how crucial this movement can be for environmental preservation. When the flock moves through different lands during migration, the sheep and goats leave their dung and urine throughout their path, and this makes it possible for the soil to absorb and hold the rain and store carbon, and to break down methane and finally to be alive. Therefore, the only answer to “How we can preserve the nature?” is to use livestock to mimic nature, and the best lifestyle to suit the shepherds when they move their flock is the nomadic lifestyle.

Nowadays, they are teaching to move their flocks in pastures. They put their animals together into larger herds and plan their grazing to mimic nature. Nomads of Iran have been practicing it for generations. Such measures are proved to be so helpful for environmental preservation, as they make the crop fields prepared and consequently there would be a great increase in crop yields as well.

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