Introduction To Cultural Anthropology: The Basseri Culture

Basseri

ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Introduction
The Basseri are a nomadic, pastoral tribe of the Fars region of present-day Iran. They have formerly been part of the so-called Khamseh confederation. The area that the Basseri migrate in is the steep mountains of South, East and North Shiraz. The "tent" is the basic unit of social organization among the Basseri. All tents have a recognized head that deals with the formal officers of the tribe, villagers, and other strangers. The Basseris raise sheep, goats, donkeys, horses, camels, and dogs. The chief of the Basseri Tribe rules through coercive authority. The main functions of the chief are: to allocate pastures and coordinate the migration of
The community for a long time migrated along the mountains and steppes that are in town of Shiraz. Another visible character of Basseri can be clearly being identified with the political stand that the clan has for a long time associated with. Despite its small size geographically and the ethnic criteria, the community has for a long time exhibited critical political stand that has spanned for years within Iran. The Basseri Community has been holding effective ideals that reflect of a community that is hardworking and concerned in realizing their goals over a long period of time. This is the sole reason why Basseri has for a long been involved in nomadic life and yet continuing in achieving their goals within their area of
The community has practiced pastoral activities over years and yet it continues in making impact within the society. Basseri community has delved into the social and economic organization of the culture, its values and beliefs, and social changes that have taken place. The Basseri tribe dates back to 1499 during the Safavid rule until 1735. After that time period, the Basseri came under the Shaibani chiefs. The Arab Shaibani chief divided the tribe between his two sons (Abrams, Bishop, Womack, Porter, Coast Community College District., Harcourt Brace College Publishers., City Colleges of Chicago., Coast Telecourses (Firm)., 1994). The Basseri came under the control of the chief’s younger son, Mir Shafi Khan. The tribe was passed on to the descendants of the chief after his death. There are five segments of the Basseri: Tar Bor-i Char Bonicheh, Shekari, Ali Qanbari Waisi, and Ali Mirzayi. All the segments speak Persian except Char Bonicheh who speaks Turkish. The Basseri is not of unilineal descent but of different backgrounds including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Gypsy (Abrams, Bishop, Womack, Porter, Coast Community College District., Harcourt Brace College Publishers., City Colleges of Chicago., Coast Telecourses (Firm).,