{"id":1208,"date":"2018-04-06T16:36:56","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T12:36:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?p=1208"},"modified":"2025-11-07T20:12:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T18:12:10","slug":"qashqai-people-iranian-nomads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/qashqai-people-iranian-nomads\/","title":{"rendered":"Qashqai people: Meeting authentic nomads of Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomads.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomads.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomads.jpg\" alt=\"Iranian nomads\" class=\"wp-image-10243\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\">This trip was sponsored by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/en.key2persia.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Key2Persia<\/a><\/strong>, who I had the chance to partner up with, in order to promote off the beaten track places within Pars Province. However, this is an honest review and all the opinions are my own<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving with their flocks from the shores of the Persian Gulf in winter to the cooler mountains around Esfahan in summer, the Qashqai people are a nomadic group from Iran of Turkic origin who, mostly, still lead a traditional life, not very different from the&nbsp;way their ancestors used to.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I was traveling in Iran, I had the chance to visit several nomadic camps and spend the night in one of them, in order to learn about the way they live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article contains an explanation of my experience with the nomads of Iran, as well as practical information to help you do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"convertkit-form wp-block-convertkit-form\" style=\"\"><script async data-uid=\"966cc0f59d\" src=\"https:\/\/exceptional-creator-2216.kit.com\/966cc0f59d\/index.js\" data-jetpack-boost=\"ignore\" data-no-defer=\"1\" nowprocket><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people-1-685x1024.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people-1-685x1024.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people-1-685x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Qashqai people\" class=\"wp-image-10235\" style=\"width:489px\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today,&nbsp;it&#8217;s believed that, still, around one million of the people living in Iran are full-time nomads, representing a 1.25% of the total population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that Iran has one&nbsp;of the biggest nomadic populations of any country, together with Asian countries such as&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/kyrgyzstan\/\">Kyrgyzstan<\/a><\/strong> or Mongolia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, Iran is so culturally and ethnically diverse that even its nomadic population is classified into different groups and tribes, the Qashqai people being, perhaps, the largest one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Qashqai nomads, also known as Ghashghaei, are a nomadic tribe originally from Turkey, who keep moving across the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/zagros-mountains-iran\/\">Zagros Mountains<\/a><\/strong>, a mountain range located in western Iran, which kind of draws the border with Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ghashghaei tribe&#8217;s&nbsp;main language is a Turkish dialect but, except for some of the oldest people, all of them can speak Persian fluently, which is the official language in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like most Iranians, they are Shia Muslims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-10239\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nomads-of-iran-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nomads-of-iran-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/nomads-of-iran-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Nomads of Iran\" class=\"wp-image-10239\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #808080;\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Iranian nomadic people<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The migration of the Iranian nomads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2df9a7d6f36e8e600ec73c5c52a7d949\" style=\"background-color:#dbe2da\"><strong><strong>It\u2019s mandatory to have a travel insurance to get your visa on arrival in Iran.<\/strong><\/strong><br>Because of the sanctions, most insurance companies don\u2019t provide coverage for Iran, but<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.co.uk\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=qashqai_people_en_text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">IATI Insurance<\/a><\/strong> does<strong><br><\/strong>Get your <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.iatitravelinsurance.co.uk\/?r=30867932099453&amp;cmp=qashqai_people_en_text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow sponsored\">exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran is so geographically diverse that, in one single region, you can find all sorts of climates, in just a couple of hundred kilometers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, on the one hand, the area in the Persian Gulf has a very similar climate to the Arab Gulf monarchies, such as the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/united-arab-emirates\/\">United Arab Emirates<\/a><\/strong>, <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-to-saudi-arabia\/\"><strong>Saudi Arabia<\/strong><\/a> or Qatar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In winter, these countries have one of the most pleasant winters that exist but, in summer, the heat becomes unbearable and the air extremely humid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/zagros-mountains-iran\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\"><strong>Zagros Mountains<\/strong><\/a>, whose southern part begins pretty much in the Persian Gulf, the weather becomes more mountainous and much cooler, many sections having really tough and freezing winters and, at the highest point, the altitude is 4,409 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of it in a short 400-kilometer strip. Pretty impressive, huh?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the main reason why, for centuries, this land has been inhabited by different nomadic groups, who have kept moving across the 400-kilometer strip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In winter, they remain in the Persian Gulf and, when the weather becomes hot, they start moving north. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In spring and autumn, you may find the nomads of Iran in the mountains around Shiraz and, in summer, around Esfahan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-10249\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DJI_0045-1024x768.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DJI_0045-1024x768.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DJI_0045-1024x768.jpg\" alt class=\"wp-image-10249\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #808080;\"><em>A Qashqai nomad camp from the air (Drone picture)<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The tough life of the Qashqai tribes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The life of the Qashqai people is pretty tough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just imagine yourself camping every day, for the rest of your life. That&#8217;s pretty much what their life is about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time they move, they need to pack all their stuff, move with their flocks and set up their camps again. The same&nbsp;goes over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nomads always need to get water from the river, rely on solar energy and are highly dependent on their flocks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are self-sufficient and their herds of sheep and goats are their main source of income.&nbsp;From these animals, they get meat, cheese, and milk and they also sell the newborns at the markets of the different cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-10245\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomadic-tribes-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomadic-tribes-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-nomadic-tribes-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Iranian nomadic tribes\" class=\"wp-image-10245\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #808080;\"><em>Iranian nomadic tribes &#8211; A nomad and his goat<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, it&#8217;s not surprising at all that, for the last few decades, many Qashqai have left their traditional life and moved to different towns and cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A nomad: <\/strong><em>For many of us, life is very difficult here, you know?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Me:<\/strong> <em>But do they like it? Why are not they moving to the cities?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-10237\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-iran-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-iran-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-iran-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Qashqai Iran\" class=\"wp-image-10237\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; color: #808080;\"><em>People from the Qashqai tribe<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to my translator, many nomads would like to quit this life but they just can&#8217;t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem is that many of them are illiterate, so they could not find any good job. Raising flocks is what they are best at and, since they can&#8217;t move to the city with their animals, they need to remain with the nomad life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, many Qashqai people&nbsp;are happy with this lifestyle because they are very proud of continuing a tradition which has been going for many generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The daily routine of the Iranian nomads is pretty much the same as that of the nomads I met while <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/traveling-to-kyrgyzstan\/\">traveling in Kyrgyzstan<\/a><\/strong> and the rest<a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-central-asia\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\"><strong> of Central Asia<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They wake up in the morning with the sunrise and men leave with their herds, while women stay at the camp, working on the daily household chores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-10241\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-tribes-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-tribes-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/iranian-tribes-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Iranian tribes\" class=\"wp-image-10241\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"color: #808080; font-size: 10pt;\"><em>Iranian tribes<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They raise goats, sheep and chickens and their diet is based on the products from these three animals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you stay there, you are likely to have fresh milk, as well as home-made yogurt and cheese, of course. The rest of the food, including rice and vegetables, they buy in the markets from the surrounding cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, culturally, one strong difference from the Central Asian nomads is that Qashqai tribes&nbsp;are much more conservative and paternalistic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whereas, while I was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/trekking-in-kyrgyzstan\/\">trekking in Kyrgyzstan<\/a><\/strong>, I hung out and shared meals with many women nomads; with the Iranian nomads, there was a clear sex segregation, like in most traditional Muslim villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-tribe-1024x684.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-tribe-1024x684.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-tribe-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Qashqai tribe\" class=\"wp-image-10233\"><\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qashqai<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More information about meeting Qashqai people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#2b8f2b\">\ud83d\udce2 In my <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-resources\/\"><strong>Travel Resources Page<\/strong><\/a> you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to visit the Iranian nomads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like I said, the Iranian nomads keep moving across the Zagros Mountains, so you can visit them at any time of the year, depending on where you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the camps around <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/off-the-beaten-track-things-shiraz\/\">Shiraz<\/a><\/strong> are the most easily accessible, plus they are set up for a longer period of time, spring and autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should you visit them on a tour or not?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, that&#8217;s a very good question. While I am not a big fan of tours, the truth is that nomads don&#8217;t live in one fixed place but they just settle down in random places in the mountains, which means that you need to know where they are and, definitely, have a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, if you had a vehicle and knew where to go, you could have some random encounters, of course. Actually, the Qashqai nomads are very hospitable and, if you show up, you are most likely to be invited to have some tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the nomads don&#8217;t speak English at all and, if you want to have a full experience, meaning <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/best-hotels-in-tehran\/\">staying one or two days<\/a><\/strong> with them, someone should definitely arrange it for you in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.key2persia.com\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Key2Persia<\/a><\/strong> arranged the&nbsp;trip for me and provided me with a tour guide who was a real Qashqai whose parents quit the nomadic life 15 years ago but he had many relatives who were still nomads. We stayed with his cousins and it was indeed a great experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read More Travel Stories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/visit-mosul-iraq-after-liberation\/\">A City Guide to Mosul<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/iron-ore-train-mauritania\/\">Iron Ore Train Guide in Mauritania<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/visit-aleppo\/\">Travel Guide to Aleppo<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/hitchhiking-backpacking-saudi-arabia\/\">Hitchhiking and Backpacking in Saudi Arabia<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/visit-saudi-arabia-ethical\/\">Is it Ethical to Visit Saudi Arabia as a Tourist<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/dheisheh-palestinian-refugee-camp-bethelehem\/\">Palestinian Refugee Camp in Bethlehem<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/nubian-people-sudan\/\">Tales of Nubian People<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/kibera-slums-visiting\/\">Visiting Kibera Slums in Kenya<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/syrian-refugee-camp-iraq\/\">Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Also check our <a href=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/travel-to-iran-ultimate-survival-guide\/\"><strong>travel guide to Iran<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people.avif\" type=\"image\/avif\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/qashqai-people.jpg\" alt=\"Qashai people\" class=\"wp-image-8080\" style=\"width:503px;height:auto\"><\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This trip was sponsored by Key2Persia, who I had the chance to partner up with, in order to promote off the beaten track places within Pars Province. However, this is an honest review and all the opinions are my own Moving with their flocks from the shores of the Persian Gulf in winter to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157,156,222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran","category-middle-east","category-travel-stories"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1208"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51056,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1208\/revisions\/51056"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}