Basseri of Iran

Basseri of Iran

Tasha Nelson

ANT101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Instructor Arion Melidonis

May 29, 2011

The Basseri of Iran is a pastoral nomadic society that dwells in what used to be known as the south of Persia but is now the province of Fars in Iran. This research paper will discuss what it means to be a part of a pastoral culture. Also, this paper will delve into the social and economic organization of the culture, its values and beliefs, and social changes that have taken place.

The Basseri tribe dates back to 1499 during the Safavid rule until 1735. After that time period, the Basseri came under the Shaibani chiefs. The Arab Shaibani chief divided the tribe between his two sons. The Basseri came under the control of the chief’s younger son, Mir Shafi Khan. The tribe was passed on to the descendants of the chief after his death. There are five segments of the Basseri: Tar Bor-i Char Bonicheh, Shekari, Ali Qanbari Waisi, and Ali Mirzayi. All the segments speak Persian except Char Bonicheh who speaks Turkish. The Basseri is not of unilineal descent but of different backgrounds including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Gypsy.

The Basseri Tribe has often been referred to as Arab and Persian. This nomadic tribe is specific to a particular region where they migrate, located in the precipitous mountains of north, south, and east Shiraz in Fars province in what was then called Persia but is now called Iran. This province sits next to the Persian Gulf and is proficient in agriculture and also has a variety of animals suitable for hunting. This region is a well-known area for nomadic tribes.

The Basseri is a pastoralist culture. This means that this tribe is constantly herding their livestock to find naturally grown grass and water. The bulk of their livestock is goats and sheep. The sheep are a special breed capable of a migrating life. However, they also have camels, horses, donkeys, and dogs. The Basseri is also considered to be...