Living a nomadic life is the oldest way of human life, and over many years, this lifestyle has been considered one of the biggest attractions of today’s technological era. Indeed, adherence to the traditions and customs and making efforts to preserve them, this lifestyle has become increasingly attractive in the tourism industry for centuries. In this article by Parsi Tours, an Iranian travel agency, we will dive into the beauties of the Iran nomads’ lifestyle.

Particular features of Iran Nomads, including their language, music, local foods, handicrafts, local clothes, local dances, special rituals, and residence are all highly respected due to their uniqueness. Moreover, the most significant characteristic of nomads in Iran is truly their way of life that, unlike the rural settlers, they are constantly moving their herds and tents.

Geographically, Iran is one of the most remarkable regions in the world which hosts numerous tribes in different parts. In the north, northeast, northwest, west, southwest, south, east, southeast, and finally central part of Iran, the dispersal of nomads could easily be seen, leading to nomadic life and a nomadic economy based on appropriate location, as well as conditions of natural geography. Kurds, Bakhtiaris, Lurs, Gilaks, Baluchs, Arabs, Qashqais, Turkmens, Shahsevans, Afshars, etc. are Iran nomads, which the largest tribal groups are Kurds, living in Kurdistan and northern Zagros region, followed by Lurs and Bakhtiari people in the southern Zagros regions, the Qashqais in Fars, the Turkmens in the northeast and the Baluchs in the southeast.

Qashqai, the famous nomad of Iran, is a mostly Turkish-speaking tribe with the main center of life in Fars, connects the Isfahan region to the Persian Gulf with its long-term migration.

Bakhtiari is one of the oldest and the most original Iranian tribes that is also one of the largest nomads, including Chaharmahal Bakhtiari, Kohkiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Isfahan, Fars, Lorestan, and Khuzestan.

Kurd, with its great importance, disperses from northern Zagros to west Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah. With significant cultural history such as language, poetry, dance, music, and customs, Kurd nomads enjoy a long history in the land of Iran.

Baluch are the nomads of the far southeast part of Iran, the Mokran region, and far West Pakistan, which is a desert region. They have a special dialect known as Baluchi and they mostly believe in Sunni Islam.

Arabs, mostly live in Khuzestan province and other parts of the south of Iran in Fars, Hormozgan, Bushehr, and the coast of the Persian Gulf.

Lurs are divided into Lurs and Laks who scatter at the Lorestan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Chaharmahal & Bkhtiari, Bushehr, and Fars.

Shahsevans are the largest nomad tribe in Azerbaijan who mostly live in Moghan Plain, Meshkinshahr, and the slopes of Sabalan Mountain.

Afshar is another nomadic tribe scattered in Iran, Turkey, and the Azerbaijan Republic. However, the main center of their residence is in west Azerbaijan, Zanjan, Khorasan, Kerman, and Fars.