Basseri
 Basseri people | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (60,000 [1]) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Fars Province | |
| Languages | |
| Persian | |
| Religion | |
| Shia islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bakhtiari |
The Basseri are a Persian nomadic and pastoral tribe of the Fars Province in Iran. They have formerly been part of the so-called Khamseh confederation which includes Persian- Turkic- and Arabic-speaking tribes. Their migratory area is around Shiraz. The "tent" is the basic unit of social organization among the Basseri. All tents have a recognized head that deals with the formal officers of the tribe, villagers, and other strangers. The Basseri economy stems mainly from sheep and goats.
Lineage
Basseries are mostly Persians .Their origin is the "Pasargadean" tribe.The Pasargadean tribe was the biggest tribe of Persia and the tribe who helped Cyrus The Great constitute the Achaemenid Empire.They named "Karian" tribe in Sasanian Empire period.They were the relers of some parts of south Persia and the Karyan city of Persia cause They helped Ardashir I constitute the Sasanian empire.
After Muslim conquest of Persia They were under rule of Arabic Tribes of South Persia ,who migrated to Persia after its conquest, till the constitute of Zand Dynasty by Karim Khan.They named "Basseri" in Qajar Dynasty.In Pahlavi Dynasty period They were settled by the government in 1930 and again started to decamp in 1941.After the Land Reformations of Iran ,they were settled in the cities and the villages of Fars Province; but after some years,They again started decamoing. after the Islamic Revolution of Iran they again went to cities and the villages for living.[2]
Language and Religion
The Basseri speak Persian in a variety that has maintained some Old Persian words not found in modern Persian. Basseries are Shia Muslims.
Tribe hierarchy
The chief of the Basseri tribe rules through coercive authority. The main functions of the chief are: to allocate pastures and coordinate the migration of the tribes, settle disputes that are brought to him, and represent the tribe or any of its members in politically important dealings with sedentary authorities. Most matters of law are governed by custom and compromise in the Basseri tribe and is regulated by diffuse sanctions. However the chief will serve as a mediator for cases that can't be solved through tradition because of the matters of the case. The chief is not bound by precedent or custom in his decision, and his decision will be based on what he feels is "best for the tribe".[3]
The Darbar consist of Basseri tribe members who are closest with the chief and always migrate with him. Within the Darbar there is a personal valet, master of the stores, a groom for the chief's riding horse, a scribe, and a hunting/drinking companion.
Textile
All packing tools and rugs are locally made, woven by the women.[3] Women's clothes are largely sewn from bought material, while male clothing is bought finished.[3]
Basseri tribe rugs (see also Shiraz rug) are asymmetrically knotted, brighter in colours, with more open space and smaller ornaments and figure with Orange as the specific color. The women of the tribe usually make the rugs.[4]
Gallery
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Basseri women dancing
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a Basseri woman in traditional clothing
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a Basseri man in traditional clothing
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Basseri women dancing
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Basseri woman
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Basseri girl
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Basseri men dancing
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Basseri sheep
See also
References
Sources
- Fredrik Barth (1964). Nomads of South Persia: the Basseri tribe of the Khamseh Confederacy. (archive.org)
- Frederik Barth (2013). Nomads Of South Persia - The Basseri Tribe Of The Khamseh Confederacy. Read Books Limited. ISBN 978-1-4465-4578-2.
- Ehsan Yousefi,nomads of Persia:The Basseri tribe;2014;Shiraz
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