The Basseri

1. The Basseri Nomads of Southern Iran

2. Tonight’s Special!!! • Chicken Fried Steak and Fries! • What is the environment of Southern Iran like anyway? • How are resources managed in a nomadic society? • What kind of social organization do the Basseri maintain? • Supernatural belief….or lack thereof… • What are some modern political and social concerns facing the Basseri.

3. Southern Iran • Defined in general by large tracts of pasture land • Coastal plains of the Persian Gulf • Hot and humid- Like Florida during a hot summer • But their range is highly diverse as well • Becomes more mountainous in the eastern half of their range approaching the Zagros mountains • Also tracts of desert in the northern and western extent of Basseri territory

4. Resource Management • Sporadic Agriculture • Sometimes Basseri individuals will pursue agriculture • Looked down upon by this nomadic society • Settling is seen as abandoning their cultural traditions and history • Although in more recent years some limited agriculture has been practiced • This only occurs when the opportunity arises and when the nomadic movement of the group will not be upset • This is only really practiced by other cultural groups that are located outside of the Basseri’s traditional nomadic territory

5. Resource Management • Goats and Sheep • Centerpiece of the Basseri’s subsistence pattern • 300 to 400 animals in a typical flock • Strict separation and management of the flock • Old away from young • Sick animals isolated • Used to produce milk and butter • Of course, also the Basseri’s primary source of meat

6. Sheep and Goats • Also important in a cultural sense • Used for trade with outside groups • Meat and hides sold in markets • Wool used to make clothing and textiles that can also be sold • Tool for passing on inheritance through families • Father or head of household will gradually give his sons sheep and goats to care for as he grows • Ensures the family will continue to be successful after marriage • The son will already have a solid, if not huge, flock of animals to support his new family

7. Pack Animals • Donkeys • Extremely important part of the Basseri’s nomadic way of life • All of the possessions of each household (tent) will be packed on these animals • This includes the material and hardware for the tents as well • No way to move with ease over the landscape without donkeys

8. Households • Each individual household is comprised of a large tent • These are typically composed of nuclear families • Like our western families, only typically larger • When a marriage occurs the new couple moves to their own tent

9. Households • Children are a very important part of the families survival • Help in every day tasks and provide supporting labor • It is also not at all uncommon for related (or even unrelated) individuals or children to join the household • This is usually done only to aid in tending the flock • Economic decision based upon the workload for the family • Taking in another person, particularly in this type of society, is not a decision to be taken lightly

10. Households • Groups of households may also form alliances • Group their tents together and combine their flocks • Adds additional support for everyone involved and also makes tending the flocks easier • Also an important indicator of the state of relationships within the group as a whole

11. The Chief!! • Acts as the voice of the Basseri to the outside world • More sedentary than the rest of his people • This is necessary because in order for the Chief to interact successfully with outsiders, he needs to be in a centralized location • Also arranges economic deals • Coordinating the movements and grazing schedules for all of the Basseri • Judges disputes that cannot be resolved within the local households • Only person in Basseri society who can actually TELL another tent and family to move somewhere

12. Religious Belief • Officially the Basseri are Shiah Moslems • Although most Basseri are relatively uninterested in things of a religious or ‘cosmic’ nature • However, in certain ceremonies (typically only weddings) the group mullah will perform the ceremony • Holy days and religious rites and rituals are performed randomly and with very little zeal or passion • Shrines are used within Basseri culture, however it is more linked to superstitious belief than to a specific religious belief • Even death motivates very little religious fervor

13. Modern Problems • Cultural oppression • The Basseri were forced to be sedentary for a time • As a tribute to the strength of their cultural, most returned to their traditional way of life as soon as possible • Western values of education and morality being forced upon the Basseri • Environmental degradation is a huge problem for smaller nomadic societies around the world, and the Basseri are no exception