Kuch with Bakhtiari Nomad - 15 Days

The migration of Bakhtiari nomads and nomadic life with its own customs and traditions is one of the attractions that many tourists are interested in seeing. The culture of Bakhtiari tribe is very wide and diverse. This diversity of culture is both due to the long history and antiquity of this tribe and due to the geographical extent of the Bakhtiari tribe.

The Bakhtiari lands of the country include parts of six provinces, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohkiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Lorestan, Fars, Isfahan and Khuzestan. But Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohkiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces are considered as the main land of Bakhtiari tribes and the main residence of the population of this zealous tribe.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province has large tribes and clans that have lived in this region since ancient times. The most important tribes of the province are Bakhtiari, Qashqai, Jargaviyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Sofla, the largest of that is the Bakhtiari tribe.

In Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, nomadic tribes have preserved their ancient way of life and customs. Nomadic nomads, rural and nomadic settlement patterns, beliefs, traditions, customs and tribes are among the cultural attractions of this province. .

Bakhtiari nomads

 The life of Bakhtiari nomads is completely different from life in cities and villages. Nomads are usually engaged in animal husbandry and are constantly migrating in different seasons to find better pastures to feed their livestock.

The Bakhtiari tribe is divided into two large tribes, Haft Lang Bakhtiari and Chahar Lang Bakhtiari. Haft Lang Bakhtiari tribe is mostly living in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province and includes Duraki Behdarvand, Janaki and Bab Babadi tribes. The Chahar Lang branch also includes the tribes of Mohammad Salehi Mogui Kendel Zoo-Meymund and Zalki. Haft Lang branch has the largest population of Bakhtiari tribe.

Nomadic housing

The main, traditional and simple dwelling of the nomads is the black tent, that is called “Behun” in the local term. It is usually woven from goat hair. This type of tent is strong and rough and resistant to moisture and cold. The length of Bakhtiari black tent is about 9 to 12 meters and its width is 5 to 6 meters. The size, area, quality and ornaments of the tent vary according to the economic situation and social status of the household living in it.

The tents of the Bakhtiari tribe are somewhat different from the black tents of the nomads in the south of the country. Bakhtiari black tents are usually raised and maintained with 4 to 5 wooden poles like a pillar, and on the sides of the tent, a steep slope is created so that when it rains, its water does not penetrate into the tent. The area around the black tent is usually covered with a layer of mud and desert debris and tree leaves. Today, the use of tarpaulin tents and other types is also common. Light weight, variety of colors and ease of carrying and raising tarpaulins, nylon and linen tents, have caused the nomads to use them.

Bakhtiari nomadic migration (summer and winter)

The summer territory of Bakhtiari tribe (Haft Lang and Chaharlang) has been varied in different historical periods. In the past, this area included a large part of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Isfahan, Kohgiluyeh, Boyer-Ahmad and Lorestan provinces, but now it includes Bazaft, Doab, Birkan, Tang-e-Gazi and Shurab areas in Farsan cities. Koohrang, Choghakhor, Pishkuh, Miankuh, Dinaran areas in Borujen, Ardal and Kiar counties and a small part of Bonn County.

In the past, the winter areas of Bakhtiari tribe included not only the eastern and mountainous areas of the Khuzestan Plain, but also other parts of this plain and extended to the shores of the Persian Gulf. Today, the winter territory of nomadic Bakhtiari tribes includes eighteen cities within the cities of Izeh, Masjed Soleiman, Shushtar, Ramhormoz, Haft Gol, Lali, Ahvaz, Indika and Gotvand.

Bakhtiari nomadic migration routes

Bakhtiari nomads use different main and secondary routes for migration. The sub-branches connect the nomadic settlements to the main roads of Taraz, Hezar Chameh, Kuh-e Sefid, Do Ab and Dez Part. Bakhtiari nomads in the migrations to summer and winter, have to cross these five main roads that establish the connection between the summer and winter areas of Bakhtiari.

The route of Bakhtiari tribe passes through impassable heights and ups and downs of Zagros mountains and rivers full of water of different branches of Karun and for this reason, it is one of the most rugged nomadic roads in the country and crossing it is still one of the the important problems of Bakhtiari nomads are. The important ways of Bakhtiari nomads are:

Ilrah Koch Ashayer – Il Rah Dez Part

This road is the oldest tribal road tribe that has an ancient history. With a length of 220 km, the route is an important part of Bakhtiari nomads and connects the nomadic points of Koohrang, Ardal, Kiar, Lordegan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Izeh, Ramhormoz and part of Masjed Soleiman and suburbs of Ahvaz in Khuzestan.

The length of the road from around Choghakhor wetland (summer place of some Duraki tribes) to Izeh is about 200 km.

Ilrah Koch Ashayer – Il Rah Rah Faleh – Bana

This road tribe connects the summer and winter territory of Dinarani and rural tribes of Izeh, Susan and Marqa suburbs in Khuzestan and Dinaran and Doab in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Today, parts of this route in the provinces of Khuzestan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have become paved, however, due to the lack of bridges over the rivers of the route, it is not possible to migrate by car for the region’s nomads.

Nomadic nomadic road – White Mountain road tribe

This road is the passage of Bakhtiari nomads of Indika and Lali cities in Khuzestan province to the summer areas of Koohrang, Ardel, Kiar, Farsan, Borujen and Lordegan cities in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari region.

Kuh-e Sefid is one of the famous heights of the Zagros Mountains and one of the most important mountain passes of this route, through that the nomads of the southern Bazaft region and Do Ab are crossing to Khuzestan. At present, it is not possible to use a car in this tribe.

 Ilerah Koch Ashayer – Ilerah Hezar Cham

This road tribe is one of the most difficult tribal road tribes in the region. Some of the nomads based in Indika, Lali and around Shushtar cross this road to reach the summer territories.

 Ilrah Koch Ashayer – Il Rah Rah Taraz

This road tribe is also one of the most important and main tribal road tribes in the region and the famous Minar Pass, that in the past was the most accident-prone passage for Bakhtiari nomads, is located on this route.

This road connects the nomadic areas of Indika and Masjed Soleiman in Khuzestan province and the nomadic areas of Bazaft Bala, Doab, Shurab, Tang Gezi and Farsan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. This road is currently paved

Time of nomadic migration

Mid-April, when winter fodder is not enough to feed livestock and the temperature gradually rises.

Nomadic families prepare to move to the summer. Carry the necessary supplies and food along the way by means of purses, chests and millstones (tea storage boxes) and leave the extra furniture in the homes of relatives and those who stay in the tropics. Property families are usually scattered in the winter, and cold families wait in the second and third houses until other property joins.

From ancient times, temporary houses have been designated along the migration route, and the nomads live in these temporary homes along the migration route. The choice of home depends on factors such as adequate forage, security, water and, most importantly, the privacy of the expropriation area and being away from agricultural land. Moving from house to house starts in the early hours of the day and ends after about five to six hours. The herds are moved in a separate direction for grazing. It should be noted that middle-class homes are not owned by a particular tribe or clan and their use is universal.

When the summer weather gets colder (usually from the middle of September), the nomads start migrating from summer to winter, considering that in this season, there is not enough fodder to feed the animals along the way and the weather is temperate and the water is flowing. Rivers are also few, the migration process is faster and therefore it is done in a short time and more easily which the migration from winter to summer. Horses and mules are the main means of migration and transportation of nomads. Older men and women and young children, along with their belongings and belongings, walk by cattle, and young men and women walk by.

It is the duty of women to carry light loads and take care of children, and men and teenagers accompany property and herds. Due to the difficult and mountainous routes of Bakhtiari tribe, mule is the best means of transportation and during migration, it plays an important role in moving people and household goods. Having mules and horses is less common among the Bakhtiari people, and few families in recent years, due to the development of rural roads and the connection of these roads with nomadic territories, use motor vehicles to transport cargo, furniture and household members.

We intend to accompany the Bakhtiari nomads in this journey. Get to know the people of this tribe. Travel with them to experience their beautiful life. Talk to them at night in the tent and enjoy their funny stories. Let’s try the special and delicious foods of this tribe. This trip is planned focusing on the Bakhtiari tribe along with visiting the historical and beautiful monuments of Iran.