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Marine Corps Intelligence Activity
Cultural Intelligence for Military Operations: Iran
Lur and Bakhtiari in Iran

(U) Religion

Schwarz Kathryn

(U) Religion of the Lur and Bakhtiari

This describes the religion of the Lur and Bakhtiari tribes.

(U) Imamzadeh Jafar Shrine in Lorestan

Imamzadeh Jafar shrine in Lorestan

(U) The Bakhtiari and the Lur consider themselves devout Shi'a Muslims, although their practice of Islam is heavily influenced by rural folkways and customs and is different from the religion practiced in more urban areas. After the 1979 Revolution, the government concluded that some of these tribal practices were heathen. The government sent missionaries to propagate a more orthodox understanding of Shi'ism among the tribes. Most tribesmen, however, persist in their traditional understanding of the meaning and rituals of Islam and do not take the government's condemnations to heart.

(U) Although the chador (full-length veil) is imposed on all women by the Islamic regime, Bakhtiari women only wear this when entering a large, urban area. Ever practical, Bakhtiari women see no purpose in wearing a veil that covers their body, and they lack the faith that might motivate them to wear the chador.

Inside the cave is a rope of amulets, copper bells, woven material, rags, safety pins, and blue beads. Just below one end of this rope...is a large honeycombed rocky recess filled with solidified candle wax and ablaze with candles lit by the women who come with their requests and vows. The recesses above it are black with greasy smoke from the many candles that have burned here. For a wish to be granted, it is believed, the petitioner must throw up to seven stones at the cave walls, and one has to stick in a crevice or recess. If the stones fall, then it will not be granted.

Caves as Religious Shrines

Caves as religious shrines

(U) Pir Ghar (the Shrine of the Cave) is a sacred cave of religious and political significance. It is located in the summer area of Chahar Mahal in the mountains behind the village Deh Cheshmeh (the Spring Valley). On the cliff face near the entrance are three large reliefs illustrating the history of a particular family of khans, the role of the Bakhtiari in the Constitutional Revolution, and the genealogy of the khans. This cave and dozens of others are believed to be holy places graced by saints and martyrs; the authenticity of these stories is never questioned by the nomads. Women visit caves such as Pir Ghar, but men rarely enter them. The cave is believed to have important power, including the ability to heal sick infants, protect animals from wolves, and cure snake bites and other illnesses.

(U) Other shrines in the area also are created inside caves, next to large old trees, or near a water source. Each shrine has a particular value assigned to it. For example, Pir Baraka in Khuzestan is believed to be the place to bring sick cows. A quarter of the cow is dedicated to the shrine while the rest of the cow is owned by the tribesman. This symbolic exchange or sacrifice is made to ensure the animal’s well-being.

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