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(U) Cultural Themes
Schwarz Kathryn Schwarz Kathryn(U) Disunity and Lack of Internal Loyalty
This section describes how the tribe traditionally lacks unity and loyalty to each other.(U) The Bakhtiari and Lur tribes have never felt much loyalty to each other or even to their own tribes. At the root of this is resource scarcity: each family felt it was always in competition with others in a harsh and barren environment.
(U) The only time in history that the Bakhtiari tribe came together in a unified front was during the Constitutional Revolution in the early 20th century. Besides this exception, the khans looked out for themselves, both within the region or when they traveled to Tehran to participate in national politics.
Schwarz Kathryn(U) Superstition
This section explains the superstition of the tribe and gives examples of superstitious beliefs.(U) Bakhtiaris are superstitious. Their superstition can be seen in the henna dyes on their herds and the trinkets sown to their children’s clothing to prevent accidents and illnesses. These practices do not seem linked to their Shi’a Muslim religion. Rather, the superstition seems connected with centuries of living closely with nature and desiring to appease spirits in a Pagan fashion. They believe the trinkets and henna dyes are a way of keeping their children and animals safe.
(U) The annual migration also brings many superstitious practices believed to carry them safely from one area to another. Large boulders and waist-high piles of small rocks are still found along the migration path. These are believed to be instrumental in averting bad luck and in keeping the nomads and their animals from falling over the cliff. Women tear rags from their clothing and hang them from their backs. People bring stones to their foreheads and kiss them three times, then place them in trees.
Schwarz Kathryn(U) Pragmatism: Focus on Practicality
This section shows how the tribes are practical or pragmatic.(U) The nomadic lifestyle requires people to be practical. The Bakhtiari are a mobile people whose limited material possessions are almost exclusively light and easily moved. Nearly everyone is a herder; less practical roles, such as educators or writers are not traditionally valued because their contributions do not immediately benefit to the family or tribe.
Schwarz Kathryn(U) Resistance to Change
This section describes how the tribes have been resistant to change.(U) The Bakhtiari continue to resist modernization. Despite early and prolonged contact with western culture and ideas, specifically with the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they remain faithful to tradition. This is due to their isolation from urban towns and cities. While small items such as tea and saddles have been incorporated into the tribe after western contact, their belongings and way of life largely remain unchanged since before the 19th century. The Bakhtiari are satisfied with the clothing, housing, and other possessions they traditionally use and only new things with obvious and immediate benefit. For example, saddles were adopted into the tribe after some members recognized how saddles make horseback riding easier and more comfortable.
Schwarz Kathryn(U) Ethnic Myths
This section describes the ethnic myth of what the Bakhtiari name means.(U) In Persian, Bakhtiari means lucky companion or friend; the Bakhtiari tribes believe that they are fortunate people, occupying land in the idyllic Zagros mountain range. They believe that their roots are among the oldest among civilizations. The Lur, too, believe that they are part of a long, noble history. However, a sense of shame that is developing among the settled portions of the Lur and Bakhtiari tribes. They believe that their migratory way of life has no place in the in Iran and that nomadism is a blemish on Iran's image as a modern country. Interestingly, this attitude mirrors the opinions of urban Persians of the nomadic tribes. Neither the traditional nomads nor the settled peoples are sure of where nomadism fits in modern Iran.
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