Iranian nomads

Nomadic lifestyle is perhaps the oldest form of human existence. For thousands of years, nomadic tribes were migrating back and forth through the landscapes of former Persia. Though nowadays many of the nomads have settled, and sometimes even moved in to the cities, the way of life endured to modern times. The nomads, called in farsi „ashair”, spread all over Iran; some tribes live in remote mountains, others dwell in the deserts, changing their location twice a year – during spring and fall migrations called „kooh”. For the past few years, the number of nomads in Iran has even increased. Many of them are living half-nomadic life, establishing tiny villages in desolated places. These snapshots show everyday life of three different tribes from various parts of country; Shashavans, Bakhtiaris and Qashqais, preparing for winter.