Basseri of Iran Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Basseri of Iran - Research Paper ExampleOne definition offered for awkwarde nomads is that they are societies specializing in animal husbandry requiring periodic front line (Barfield, 1984). For such societies, animal husbandry is an ideal way of making a living and movement of all or part of the society is considered a normal and natural part of life (Barfield, 1984). Another interesting aspect of this people is that in the novel context, though they may be making more income out of activities other than pastoralism, still the concept of nomadic pastoralism remains central to their own identities (Barfield, 1984). Generations who gather in remained pastoral nomads have instilled a unique culture into this people, which cannot be erased by modernity that easily. Phillips (2001) has observed that Basseri are true nomads, sometimes moving camp nearly frequent (p.286). Studies (Phillips, 2001) about Basseri have shown that a group of Basseris may establish and re-erect their tent on an average of 120 times a year (p.286). As seasons change, they hail a route that take them into pastures along the valleys and also help their cows cope with the rising temperatures (Philipps, 2001, p.286). During summer, thus they reach the high altitudes and in the autumn, commence the fall in journey to the valleys (Philipps, 2001, p.286). In this way, Basseri is a people constantly on the move. And the movement in their life is connected with their primary mode of subsistence. A section of these nomads have now become sedentary while another major section still remains true to their nomadic culture (Philipps, 2001, p.283). Primary mode of subsistence As discussed above, the primary mode of subsistence for Basseri tribe has been pastoralism. They have a pattern of annual movement cycles which make them travel according to the climate and availability of grass for their cattle (Marx, 1977, p.344). They are also seen to move around based on subsistence units, which are speci fic areas that they move into under the norm that it is their territory (Marx, 1977, p.344). The livelihood of Basseri tribe has been by selling meat and skin, and other pastoral products (Tapper, 1997, p.21). Anthropologists have even named the pastoral and nomadic tribes of Iran as units of subsistence, a nomenclature indicative of how the very mode of subsistence becomes their socio-cultural identity. Pastoralist creation pastoral does not mean that the only subsistence of a society is pastoralism. Instead such a nomenclature is just indicative that as long as economic alternatives are insecure, and pastoralism serves as the economic base, people are justly called pastoral nomads (Marx, 1977, p.344). But the more important aspect, as discussed above is that pastoralism is always the lynchpin of their culture (Marx, 1977, p. 344). Another fact is that pastoralism is found to develop only in places where water is seasonally in short supply (Marx, 1977, p.345). In the deserts of fondness East, every year, there are alternating dry and wet spells of weather. It is to cope with this climatic condition that Basseri tribe became nomadic and pastoral. Culture The Basseri culture is distinct with fortified ties of kinship, which has resulted in the formation of independent families who inhabit a tent.