• Table of Contents
• 1. Perks You Can Buy
•     1.1 Nomadic Wild Herbs
•     1.2 Organic Honey
•     1.3 Nomadic Outfit
•     1.4 Nomads’ Odyssey
•     1.5 Virtual Nomadic Evening
• 2. Referral Contest
•     2.1 IRANomad Referral Contest; Benefit While Contributing to a Cultural Cause
•     2.2 How to Get Started?
•     2.3 How to Help Share the Campaign?
•     2.4 What Can I Get?
•     2.5 How can I be sure that my referrals count?

1. Perks You Can Buy

    1.1 Nomadic Wild Herbs

We receive many questions about our wild herbs that are hand-picked by the nomads from their surrounding mountains. In this article, we want to give you a short description of the properties of each of these wild herbs and how you can use them to brighten up your kitchen.

• Persian shallots: One of the nomadic herbs is Persian shallot. Persian shallot is a jack of all trades when in the culinary world. This fragrant herb can be powdered and mixed with yogurt, or used as a spice for marinating chicken or meat. You can also mix it and cook it with your rice and make an amazing fragrant herbal rice. You can also add it to your salad to spice things up or put it in your pickles and fermented veggies. Persian Shallots are a great source of vitamin C, Iron, calcium, and folic acid, which makes it a champion against cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and migraines.
• Oregano: This might be the most known of our wild nomadic herbs, since many of you associate this herb with Italian cuisine. The nomads also pick Oregano from the mountains and use it as a herbal remedy as well as a spice. The nomads mix oregano with caramelized onions, turmeric and curd and use this as a topping on their herbal soups. Dried oregano can be powdered and mixed with yogurt to settle an upset stomach, or used as a steeped herbal tea for the same purpose. Oregano tea is the holy grail of herbal teas that can be used to alleviate and relieve body pain like rheumatism, inflammation in the throat and mouth and, increase appetite. Oregano tea is a great replacement for regular black tea, if you’re looking for a hot drink that is more beneficial.
• Wild Celery: Or as nomads call it “Kelows”. This wild nomadic herb has a very strong delicious fragrance that fills your nostrils right when you open the package. This species of plant is endemic to the Zagros mountains of Iran ONLY, and is incredibly valuable to the nomads, so much so that take shifts guarding the area of the mountain that wild celery grows in, so that no one takes more than their share of this plant. The Bakhtiari nomads use Kelows in their pickled vegetables and mix the powdered leaves with their yogurt. You can also steep the leaves to make herbal tea, or mix it with regular black tea. Kelows also has qualities that help with reducing high blood pressure, detoxing the body, and relieving stress and anxiousness. Wild celery is also a game-changer in your regular chicken dinner, trust us on this.
• Wild Chives: Dried wild chives can be used instead of fried onions to add flavor to different dishes. This nomadic herb can be added to soups or like nomads do, even sprinkled on top of fried eggs to spice them up and make them more exciting. You can get creative and add it to your salad or whatever else that you see fit. You can’t go wrong with wild chives.

•     1.2 Organic Honey

  This organic honey is unique and priceless because the bees that make this honey are endemic to the Zagros region only, and they get to roam freely and feed on the wild flora of the Zagros mountains such as Baneh (wild pistachios), wild apples, pears and hawthorn berries, and also oak trees. The honey has a distinct clear dark reddish color and a subtle herbal flavor.

      1.3 Traditional Nomadic outfit

  The nomad men’s outfit consists of Chogha and hat. Chogha is a short-sleeved, knee-length Jacket, hand-made from wool by nomad women. Its striped black and white pattern is said to symbolize good and evil, and that good always outweighs the bad in the end. It can be worn over a long-sleeve T-shirt and keep you nice and warm. The nomadic hat is also round and made from wool. This perk also contains a handbag, made from wool and by nomad women, that has the same striped pattern as the Chogha. The traditional nomad women’s outfit can be added as an add-on perk if you choose the nomad men’s outfit. The women’s outfit consists of a long blouse, skirt, and a very long thin scarf, complete with a headband. The woman’s ensemble is very sparkly because of all the hand-stitched rhinestones and embroidery and is guaranteed to make you feel very regal and beautiful. If you do get this perk, we will contact you to get your size and work out the details.

      1.4 Nomads’ Odyssey

  By getting this perk you can make a reservation for yourself (or with a friend) to our feature tour The Nomads’ Odyssey . This voucher will be valid for three years. In this tour you get to fully immerse yourself in the nomadic lifestyle for 7 days and accompany nomads on their transhumance route through the Zagros mountains.

      1.5 Virtual Nomadic Evening

  In this virtual gathering, you can watch photos and videos of our previous journeys with the nomads through the Zagros mountains and talk to some of our previous travelers about their experience of living with the nomads. We might also talk about nomadic songs and ballads, and learn an easy nomadic recipe.

  2. Referral Contest

  

      2.1 IRANomad Referral Contest; Benefit While Contributing to a Cultural Cause

  In this article, we want to explain how you could help us promote our Crowdfunding Campaign. This would be a win-win-win collaboration! Who is the third winner? This collaboration has three sides. Us, you and your friends and the nomads. When you invite your friends to IRANomad campaign all of you will benefit from it. The delivered goods will be beyond their expectations, so they will benefit from amazing organic products. You will also benefit from the share that you gain from bringing people to our campaign. On the other hand, the nature of the Zagros mountains will also benefit from this, because its guardians, who are the nomads, will be motivated to continue this lifestyle which in turn will lead to a more sustainable environment and the preservation of an intangible cultural asset.

      2.2. How to Get Started?

  You can copy your own personal link after coming to the IRANomad campaign page. You can also ask us to send you your personal link. To do so, you can either email us through info@nomad.tours or text us in WhatsApp: +989131798395. Then share this link in your social media and groups. The Indiegogo platform reports how many people have used your personal link to see our campaign and how much purchase has been made by them.

  

      2.3. How to Help Share the Campaign?

  You can post about the different ‘perks’ of our campaign in your groups and share your personal link with them. Each perk is designed to attract a different group of our audience. For example, the “Aash-e-Kashk kit and recipe” could be interesting to Iranians outside Iran.

  You can also decide to promote only one perk with the same referral procedure if you like to. In this way, the chance of the conversion rate might be higher because you can decide which perk is suitable for a group of people. For example, if you know a group full of avid travelers, maybe it would be a better idea to give the link of our discounted tour perk instead of the whole campaign link since the other perks may be distracting and irrelevant to that group.

      2.4. What Can I Get?

  You can either get 15% of your whole referral purchases, or you can get the equivalent of 25% worth of your referrals from our perks. In order to get a discounted tour perk, your referrals have to amount to 2500$. The person who gathers the most contributors (regardless of the number) can also choose a Kooch tour (Nomads’ Odyssey) as his/her prize.

  An example: Let’s assume that 2250 $ has been added to IRANomad campaign from your referral link. In regard to your help in promoting our campaign, you can either get 15% of this accumulated contribution directly, or you can get 25% of it (562.5 $) as a gift coupon to buy from the perks of this campaign. The third option is to choose a Kooch tour at the discounted price of 750$ (because the tour gets another 25% discount in this context)

      2.5. How Can I Be Sure That My Referrals Count?

  First, you need to create and sign in to your Indiegogo account. Then, you need to back IRANomad campaign by getting a perk (doesn’t matter which perk you choose). Next, visit the campaign page on Indiegogo and look to the right of the main video for the “Link”. Click the “Link” button. A unique link will be generated for you. Copy this link and use your unique URL to share the campaign on social media, email your friends and contacts, write a blog post, etc. Keep in mind that the persons who click on your link need to make a contribution right away in order to be counted as your referrals. If they leave the campaign page and later return to it (not using your link) then their contribution won’t be counted as your referral.

  Click the “Link” button. You will then see a popup with your unique link. Copy your unique share URL and use your unique URL to share the IRANomad campaign on social media, email your friends and contacts, write a blog post, etc.

   

The post IRANomad Campaign appeared first on Iran Nomad Tours.

Kooch (Transhumance, kuch, Seasonal Migration) is the act of moving with livestock between summer and winter pastures (Yaylaq & Qishlaq) in search of grasslands for the livestock. Kooch (or Kuch or Koch) is the very epitome of a nomadic lifestyle. Because of ecological factors, each year one group of Iran nomads embarks on their seasonal migration on mountainous hinterlands of Zagros. Their kooch is a vertical one (vertical transhumance). In summer, they move to higher pastures where the weather is cooler, and in winter they come down to lower valleys. They usually go to the same pastures each year. The bigger families have their own pastures. Therefore, nobody else is allowed to camp in their pastures. The smaller ones join together to do kooch, for example, brothers or cousins do the kooch together. Sometimes, in families with small children or heavily pregnant women, only the nomad men and the livestock kooch, while the family move with cars.

Recently, the number of families who perform kooch in its traditional way has fallen drastically. On the one hand, some believe their nomadic lifestyle and not having a fixed habitation is tough, and on the other hand, they can’t stand not living as a nomad.

• Table of Contents
  • 1. Definition
  • 2. History
  • 3. Iran Nomad Tribes
  • 4. Nomads through Time
  • 5. Kooch: The Epic Transhumance of Nomads
  •     5.1 Kinds of kooch: Vertical & Horizental
  •     5.2 5 Reason Why Nomads Migrate
  • 6. Kooch under Bakhtiari Nomads Stewardship
  •     6.1 Who are Bakhtiar Nomads?
  •     6.2 Bakhtiari’s Summer and Winter Pastures
  •     6.3 Bakhtiari Nomads’ Daily Share of Responsibilities
  • 7. Nomad Odyssey

0. A Brief Summary

A nomad is defined as a member of a community without a fixed habitation. They regularly move between particular areas. There are three types of nomads around the world: hunter-gatherer nomads, pastoral nomads, and thinker/trader nomads.

Pastoral Nomads are one of the biggest populations of nomads around the world. They raise herds (sheep, cattle, goats, horses, and camels) and move with them to places with fresh, green pastures and suitable plants for their herd. They are sedentary in a specific location and move to another place to find resources.

There are different nomadic tribes in Iran including Bakhtiari, Qashqai, Shahsavans, etc. The population of nomads in Iran is around 1,000,000 people, which is 1.5% of Iran’s population. Of course, the nomadic population of Iran was more than a quarter of Iran’s population about 100 years ago.

The Bakhtiari tribe lives in the southwest of Iran. Their lifestyle has been preserved the most and as there are fewer roads made in their lands they have the biggest population of Iran’s nomads who still migrate on foot. Their territory, known as ‘Bakhtiari Land’, is located in an area between Isfahan and Khuzestan

Bakhtiari Nomads do their seasonal transhumance twice yearly 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 differs among different tribes, but it is about 300 km, which takes 10 to 15 days. For some tribes it is more than 400Km and they pass the whole Zagros range in 20-30 days with thousands of goats that move like a water flow in the mountains and they carry all their stuff with mules.

1. Definition

The word kooch comes from Turkish dialect, meaning ‘moving’, ‘moving of a group from a place to another’, ‘a group who moves in deserts’. In Lorish dialect, it refers to nomads’ seasonal transhumance between pastures with their livestock.

2. History

According to Encyclopǣdia Iranica, the traditional Bakhtiari way of life began in the Zagros highlands from the thirteenth century, “at first under the impact of the Mongol invasions, and probably attained its present form during the eighteenth century, in a defensive reaction against increasing fiscal and administrative pressures experienced under successive Iranian régimes.” Based on what the excavators found near Kermanshah and Khuzestan, it has been found out the age of kooch and basic models of farming goes back to more than 7000 BC. There are some hypotheses saying the earliest evidence of nomadism in Iran goes to Lur, Bakhtiari, and Qashqa’i nomads in prehistoric and Bronze Age of Iran.”

To know about the origin of kuch, we need to know about the origin of Bakhtiari people as they have performed it since centuries ago. But the history of these people and their tribes who are known as indigenous people of Iran has remained unknown. It is not clear when these people have come to the area, and what is their origin. Therefore, it is not clear since when these people have started doing kuch.

3. Iran Nomad Tribes

Iran has various kinds of tribes such as Lors, Kurds, Balooch, Arabs, Turks, and Guilaks. But the most well-known nomad tribes are Turkeman, Shahsevan, Bakhtiari and Qashqayi people. Nomads of Iran are the indigenous people of Iran who have their origin in about 8000 or 10000 years ago. They are independent, simple, hard-working people who have chosen to be on the move to make a living. They all settled in various parts of Iran, and they are from different ethnic backgrounds; some Turks are located in North West of Iran, others are habitants of Zagros and Alborz Mountain ranges; and, Turkman, Baluch, and Arabs, are all scattered in different parts of Iran and they have inherited different rituals from their ancestors. Some anthropologists believe Bakhtiari Nomads and the Lor are the first indigenous people of Iran. Therefore, the age of kooch needs to be investigated through the age of Bakhtiari people.

• Turkmens: from the Turk tribe living near the Turkmenistan border in Golestan Province. They mainly take care of horses and camels as their livestock.
• Shahsevan: the term means “the ones who love Shah (king)”. They live in the northwest of Iran, near the Azerbaijan border in Ardebil and East Azerbaijan Province.
• Bakhtiari: the term means “the ones who have the fortune with them”. They live in the Zagros Mountains in the west of Iran next to Isfahan Province in Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari Province. These nomads make up the largest nomadic tribe of Iran.
• Qashqayi: These people are also from the Turk tribe and speak Turkish. They live in Fars Province south of Iran. These people have now settled down in one pasture throughout the year.

4. Nomads through Time

There are estimated to be around 1.5 million nomadic pastoralists living in Iran today, although the figure is gradually decreasing. In the first two decades of the 20^th century, the nomads were 50% of Iran population. In the 60s, the number decreased to 25%, and in 2017, it dropped to 1 or 2% of the country’s population—spread over some 35 million hectares in Iran. What makes Nomadism different from other lifestyles are: 1. dependence on livestock 2. Use of natural pastures 3. Kooch

Currently, Iran’s nomadic tribes are residing in 3 different approaches: Migrants, Semi-Migrants & Settled Tribes. Shahsevands are totally settled in villages. 90% of Turkmens and Qashqayi people are also settled in their tents or surrounding villages and they rarely migrate. But Bakhtiari people with the highest population are the ones who mostly do transhumance with their livestock. Iran Bakhtiari nomads never leave Mt. Zagros. Their summer pastures and winter pastures are in two different sides of Zagros, and they move on the ridges between these two destinations each year. In spring and summer, when the weather gets really hot, they often move to the northern and northwest of Zardeh, and in autumn and winter, when the northern parts are buried under heavy snow, they migrate to southern and southwest parts.

5. Kooch: The Epic Transhumance of Nomads

Nomadic transhumance or kooch is a technique of population movement which is done to accomplish a variety of goals. Changing of location in search of grasslands and moving in groups in ancient nomadic paths which are trodden by feet and hooves for thousands of years, are two outstanding characteristics of nomadic life. Kooch happens every year on a regular basis. Each tribe takes the same route each year, and they have their own pastures in which no other tribe can stay. They set up their tents in the same previous places called ‘Javargah’ which have been marked by stones. The nomads who have big flocks are the wealthy ones with more facilities who usually choose the longer routes while doing kooch. By contrast, those who are less fortunate choose the shorter routes and they usually postpone their migration.

Iran nomads also have their migratory routes, called IL-Rah, through which they pass in their seasonal transhumance. Their kooch vary in length and can reach 300 km. Nomads often migrate in large groups of at least “nomadic camps”. Sometimes they camp and stay in a pasture for a longer time when there is ample grass for the livestock. But soon, they have to move on before the next group of nomads arrives to prevent obstruction (Kalang) in pathways.

Kooch may take from one to six weeks. Since there are no facilities on nomads’ migration way, they carry everything they need up to two months. The timing is also of prime importance as the tribe must leave late enough for the ice to have melted to allow safe passage, but early enough to arrive in the green plains before they are overgrazed by other animals. There is a connection between performing kooch and climate changes. Sometimes kooch is brought to a temporary halt because of the harsh mountainous weather.

While doing kooch, sometimes the nomads have to pass near impassable path. The nomad men then have to stand in line in some narrow pathways to keep the livestock from falling. When they reach the rivers, women and children sit on the mules, but the livestock goes to the river while the nomad men guard them. Some other men also wait on the other side of the river to take the animals. Losing livestock is the inevitable part of each kooch. Sometimes the mules fall from the mountains. Therefore, nomads need to be quite alert all day along on the day of kooch. Here you can read Redzip Skomorac & Serial Hikers’ first-hand account of their kooch with Iran nomads.

    5.1 Kinds of Kuch: Vertical & Horizontal

Nowadays, there are different methods of relocation exercised on a global scale amongst nomads. ‘Horizontal’ kuch occurs in dry, flat, vast deserts where water and grass can scarcely be found, like steppes in Saudi Arabia deserts or Kazakhstan Steppe.

There is also another type of relocation, called ‘Vertical’ kuch occurring in regions with a large difference in altitude where people move from low altitudes to higher ones in search of more favorable weather for their families and their animals, like in Iran. For instance, the vertical migration of Bakhtiari tribes happens when they move between north and south of Zagros mountain ranges.

In terms of scope, there are two types of nomadic migration, one is ‘long trans-regional route’ ascribable to the migration of Central Asian nomads, and the other is the ‘local migration’ attributed to the tribes such Qashqayi, Bakhtiari and, etc.

    5.2 Five Reason Why Nomads Migrate?

Each year, Nomads move between summer pastures and winter pastures due to many reasons. The prominent reason for this lifestyle is to find grasslands for their animals. But, there are other reasons too:

• In hot and cold weather, there would not be enough food for the flocks. And since Nomads are highly dependent on nature, they need to follow its rhythm. Even if they do not have any flock, they follow the same pattern to avoid bitterly cold and scorching hot weather.
• Nomad men would have the opportunity to do farming in two different pastures.
• The fruits of oak trees are the next reason. In autumn, when the nomads move back to their winter pastures, the oak fruits are fully ripe. Nomads pick them up and make delicious bread from its flour. The bread would be used throughout the following winter.
• Last but not least, the tribe’s main economic activities are determined by the migration cycle. Nomads are accustomed to migration. Without it, they feel something is missing as if they have lost their main purpose in life. Each year, at the time of migration, they feel so thrilled at the prospect of their coming Kooch.
• It is also vital for the environment. Here you can read more.

6. Kooch under Bakhtiari Nomads’ Stewardship

    6.1 Who are Bakhtiari Nomads?

Bakhtiari tribe or ‘the great Lor’ is one of the most important tribes of Iran. Their territory, known as ‘Bakhtiari Land’, is located in an area between Isfahan and Khuzestan. Zagros ranges pass through their land, diving it to 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. Nowadays, these people are the only nomad group who do transhumance.

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 migrate 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.

    6.2. Bakhtiari’s 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. Nomads use these pastures in their seasonal Kooch.

    6.3. Bakhtiari Nomads’ Daily Share of Responsibilities

In 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 while migrating. They sometimes do shepherding. In the time of kooch, women play an important role in gathering up the stuff and tent and loading the mules. Men also help them to pack on the day of migration.

Chores done by men: Men are responsible for economic and political tasks. Dealing with other tribes’ main members and Kalantars, commuting to 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.

Chores 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 from 4 am to 6 pm. 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.

7. Nomad Odyssey

According to ‘Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English’, odyssey has two meanings:

“[Literary] 1. A series of experiences that teach you something about yourself or about life. 2. A long journey with a lot of adventures or difficulties.”

Iran Nomads’ Transhumance is REALLY an odyssey both for the nomads and the travelers:

• It’s an odyssey for the nomads, because like what we see in the movies People of the Wind (1976, Anthony Howarth) and Grass. A nation’s battle for live (192, Merian C. Cooper Ernest B. Schoedsack) during the migration the nomads face with so many ups and downs and every time they need to come up with a solution to overcome the hardships and pass the impassable mountains. Every year, they await the spring to undertake the journey once again, and when they are done with the migration, they feel quite pleased with the odyssey they have accomplished.
• It’s an odyssey for us/travelers who join the nomads too, because throughout the days, we are with the nomads moving in Zagros hinterlands, we are going to gain some precious first-hand experiences.
  • The most important one is the experience of casting doubt on ‘ourselves’. We will question our life, whether we are on a right path. Nomads make us think about the goals we have set for ourselves. ‘What if I’m not right?’ ‘What if I need to make some changes in my life’…
  • We experience peace and tranquility far away from the worldly concerns we normally have in our lives. There, behind the magnificent mountains, it is just we and the sky and the whole pasture in front of us. All we hear is the sound of the animals & the gentle breeze. 
  • Like the nomads, we are going to experience some adventurous days in Zagros mountainous areas. The adventure of living with the indigenous people in Iran’s pristine nature, the adventure of trekking in the merciless Zagros ranges, experiencing the wildlife, etc.

The post Kooch: An Epic Migration in an Ancient Nomadic Style 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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In recent years, the number of Nomads has decreased dramatically. National Geographic explains the reasons. Small in size, but big on attraction, their beauty is unmatched. Apart from Nomad people, the verdant pastures of their lands full of sheep and goats are so eye-catching, especially during their spring kooch.  There’s plenty to see. For those who wish to be immersed in the history and culture of a country, there is no better place to visit the indigenous people of any country than nomad camps like those living in Zagros Mountain ranges in Iran. We’ve rounded up 6 main reasons for going and experiencing the living with the Nomads. 

Number one: It looks other-worldly!

After reaching the magnificent Zagros mountains, over which the nomads migrate in search of grass for their flocks,  we’d face a whole other world totally away from a world full of distractions we are accustomed to. Apart from the fantastic sceneries, the first-hand experience of living with Iran nomads is so amazing … not like anything we’ve experienced before. Here is a brief summary of one of my trips to Iran Nomads.

Watch the following video to see why this expedition can’t be missed.

Number two: We’d experience how it feel to be the son/daughter of nature!

For some days, we’ll go to sleep by sunset, and wake up by sunrise in a primitive tent, we’ll make our bread, milk the sheep, fetch water, collect wood, and spend some peaceful nomadic afternoon with them in their tent. And all these would broaden our experiences. It will be a unique experience which will deeply affect us.

We see how it likes to be a shepherd, away from hustle and bustle of life taking care of sheep and goats. We see how these tough and indefatigable people spend their lives deep in the wilderness.

They are great guides who have mastered the art of living on the earth without destroying it. So, by being with nomads we can learn the art of living.

Number Three: It is like an epic pilgrimage

We are going through some novel experiences that would affect us throughout our life. From that moment on, we are not the same previous person. We’ll remember the things we’ve long forgotten. There would be many memorable key moments which give us a real insight into a deeper meaning of life. The way they battle nature and all the struggles and obstacles can be metaphors of life’s difficulties. We’ll learn so much from these people and their practical approaches.

Number Four: It would be a cross-cultural experience!

 Knowing about a very special, obscure and ancient culture, of which we know so little, would be a very invaluable experience. It would be of mutual benefits for both groups; the nomads and the visitors. The visitors can gain first-hand experience of nomads’ unique culture and lifestyle. And nomads can be encouraged to preserve their lifestyle when they see how others are appreciative of their culture and lifestyle. 

Number Five: It would be quite an adventure

Being with Nomads and following them in their seasonal transhumance (‘kuch’) in Zagros hinterlands would be an awesome adventure for adventurous travelers. Here are some can’t-miss experiences while moving with the nomads: meeting one of the most genuine & authentic tribes of Iran, seeing the rugged and breathtaking views of Mt. Zagros, trying a simple nomadic life away from civilization, hiking & mountain climbing in some remote mountain ranges, witnessing the wildlife of the area like wild goats, bears, and eagles.  

Number Six: It would help environmental sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources!

After years & years of investigation, now the scientists know that the only way to stop desertification is to have livestock moving on the pastures, because when large herds dung and urinate all over their food, and they keep moving, this movement prevents the overgrazing of plants. So this trampling ensures a good cover for the soil to keep the Carbon. Thus, using livestock, moving and in large number, is the only way to preserve nature.

This small group in Iran still follow their ancestors’ way of life. The way they move with their livestock twice a year on Zagros pastures is the best way to help the environment be preserved. Nomads know the rule of nature by instinct. They have different territories, and every now and then they change their pastures so when the livestock is using another pasture, the previous one has its time to rest and to be alive again.

By joining nomads while they are doing their seasonal transhumance, we give them the encouragement to sustain the unique lifestyle they’ve had for centuries but is on the verge of extinction. Nomad’s younger generation need to know how precious their lifestyle is to our dear earth.  

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It has happened to all of us to see our favourite characters in movies embark on a kind of pilgrimage, or a mountainous journey or passing through some rare, epic scenery to reach the indigenous people of the area. Sometimes, we wish to have the same experience; feeling the chill of the air, the mere adventure, and the other iconic views all for ourselves. We really recommend the adventurous travelers to experience the very life that Nomads of Iran live. Here is a list of the man tribes of Iran.

If you have never travelled to Iran, you’re missing a unique experience. And, if you’ve never seen a Nomad, your miss would be twice as much. Not many counties around the world have still had Nomads; in many countries, they’ve become extinct. Read more about the nomads of the world. Iran has still preserved its Nomads, though they are fading away little by little. So, if you want to be one of those who have experienced such superb nomadic lifestyle, your chances to find Nomads are limited. Iran has one of the most authentic Nomads ever. They live in intact Zagros mountain ranges, and twice a year do their seasonal kooch (transhumance).

Why Nomads?

Living with Nomads: Living through History

Behind magnificent Zagros mountain ranges, somewhere surrounded by fields of Oak trees, live a group of indigenous people of Iran: Bakhtiari Nomads. Over there, there is life, yes, but not a familiar way of life for many. Time has stopped there. Just in the middle of nowhere, there is a majestic nomadic black tent, surrounded by sheep, goats, horses & donkeys. There is a lone nomad man on horseback crossing from one side to the other guarding the animals. Women are also making bread or fetching wood for the fire. Here, It’s a whole different way of life.

Accompanying Nomads in their Kooch: An Ideal Adventure

For avid hikers or adventurous backpackers who wish to have a different experience in Iran, Nomads could be a novel experience. By joining nomads for their seasonal kooch, they can experience not only hiking on magnificent Iran mountains, but also living with a genuine tribe. Apart from the adventure one is going to experience while doing kooch with the Nomads, we can learn a lot of independence; how to reach our potentials in living in nature. Spending some days with the Nomad is the whole different story. Their being hardworking, resilient, tough and agile – moving to the peaks of the most difficult mountains of Iran in their seasonal transhumance – make these people quite unique. They are born with a love for the mountains. All in all, they would be quite simply a huge inspiration for us. It is no exaggeration to say that everyone will be affected by the trip. Coming back to cities, we’re no longer the previous person. The epiphanic moments would stay with us forever.

Here is also REDZIB SKOMORAC‘s account of his trip to Bakhtiari Nomads of Iran.

So, if you are looking for opportunities for adventure, natural beauty and authentic culture, Nomads are top-notch destinations.

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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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