It can be stated that from the very long past, majority of the people in Iran were engaged in pastoral subsistence and animal breeding. Thus earning their livelihood in various parts of the country mostly. The herds were taken to the seasonal summer or winter quarters, where the herdsmen lived in tents. These decamping differentiated this community from the others who were permanent dwellers. Thereby bringing about trivial conflicts amongst them at times. Moreover, this community could not be categorized as nomads in general, as some were semi-tribal. The latter stationed a part of their clan in their distinct realm regards their summer or winter quarters. Whereas their respective chieftains, dwelled in the cities or villages for part of the year.
Though the life of these communities or tribes intermingled with their decamping conditions, which made them adapt to their surroundings, certain factors are not distinct. It is not clear as from when this mode of livelihood became distinguished in the plateau of Iran, apart from the Mesopotamia and Central Asia. Not much is known in this sphere, specially in the pre-Islamic era, though, these types of activities could hold a strong ground even then. As during the Achaemenian, Parthian and Sassanide eras, these monarchs ruled from seasonal capitals. Thus, the herdsmen would move their herds to vicinities around these capitals or cities As it has been mentioned, there is no definite evidence as to tribes or their life-style in the pre-Islamic period, because their numbers were in a state of constant change. Sometimes, mutual disagreements arose, and a few of these groups merged into the larger ones, or a part settled in one area. Endogamy and tribal marriages caused the emergence of a larger community. These, therefore, gained hold of the weaker lot. The sovereigns of the times, were content with such an arrangement, as this compelled the tribes to disintegrate into smaller and weaker unions scattered in various parts of the territory.
Ancient geographers have mentioned that the structural evidences of tribes in the early Islamic period reveal the flourishing of villages, and activities such as agriculture and animal husbandry, that these inhabitants were engaged in. But there is a strong possibility that these tribes played an important role, both in the political and military spheres of the times. In the year 23 AH, during the Arab conquests in Iran, when the country came under their strong hold for a lengthy period of time, the tribe of Fars came to the aid of the Iranian commanders. Thus, breaking the siege. In the 3rd century AH, a part of the militia of Yaqub Lais was composed of tribes. During the Samanian rule, the Ghaz or Turk tribe were assigned to power in the territory of Khorassan. In the late 4th century AH, a group of the Ghaz Saljooghi community decamped to the Transoxiana (beyond the Oxus River). Whereas, another group moved to Khorassan in .the 5th century AH.
In the beginning of the Saljooghi reign, these tribes composed of a large portion of the Saljooghi army. In the 7th century, the forces of the Attabakan of Fars consisted of tribes such as the Kurds, Lurs and Shools. In the pre-Islamic era, the Shabankareh tribes formed the group of commanders or Espahbodans of Fars. These tribes were engaged in the breeding of horses in the wilderness of 'Roon', where due to pleasant and suitable climatic conditions, vegetation was in plentiful. Furthermore, in the 9th century AH, the rule of the Aag Goyoonloo encompassed the tribes of Azarbayjan. In the 10th century AH, Shah Esmail Safavid brought about the unity of seven large tribes, thus forming the Qezelbash Corps. In the early 11th century AH, Shah Abbas Safavid divided the Qajars into three. One group of which were sent to Ganjeh and Georgia, in order to curb the Lesgian unrest there. The second group moved towards Marv or the borders of Khorassan, so as to quench the differences of the Ozbaks in that vicinity, whereas the third group settled in Astar Abad, so as to confront the Turkaman attacks.
In the early part of his reign, amongst other smaller tribes and locals, Shah Abbas weakened the Afshar tribe, who were scattered around the south of the Attrak River, and decamped them to the territory of Azarbayjan. Here, they dispersed within the limits of Bijar to Zanjan, and were famously called 'Afshar-e-Qasemloo'. This coincided with the period when the Afshars were also present in such areas as Khuzestan and Kohkiluyeh. It was in this period that the tribe formed the seat of power in the territory that it inhabited. The census taken of these tribes in the year 1128 AH, revealed that approximately 110,000 persons of these tribes were engaged in the government army, but were not on the pay-roll. Their honorary services were taken advantage of in the infantry division whenever there was war. During the reign of Fathali Shah Qajar, about 36,000 tribal persons served in his army of which 60% were infantry forces and the rest were riders. These were usually from the Bakhtyari tribe, who numbered to about one-third of the approximate 60% serving in the army. One of the vital and important territories, which were in conflict with the central government in the 19th century, was the Bakhtyari region.
In the year 1909 this tribe played an important part in re-establishing a constitutional government. Moreover, it was during these years that the Qashqaie tribe took a stronger foot hold. The power was in the hands of the 'Ilkhan' with an 'Ilbeg' to represent the government as well as the tribal chieftains. In the Fars region, besides the Qashqaie, Turks (Khamseh) and other tribes with a Turkish language, such as the Khalaj also existed in Ghonghari. In the mid-eighteenth century that is, 1740 and 1750 AD, the Cha'ab tribe in Arabia increased in power, and thereby encroached on the vicinity of Jarahi and the Afshar jurisdiction surrounding it in Khuzestan, which naturally brought about a wider area under their power in Iran. Thus promoting their position in the social circle in this country. Various tribes or clans existed in the east of Iran. A part of the tribal community of the Afshar and Atta-ol-Lahi in Kerman in the 19th century AD, comprised of 15,000 and 3,000 tents respectively. Whereas, in the southeast of Iran, the Baluch tribe was considered as important, and generally were in the region of Sistan and Baluchestan.
Though a minor portion existed in the Qaenat region of Khorassan. The said tribes did not come under the central government rule in the early Qajar period, and thus were not liable to charges or taxes. But occasionally used to dispatch tributes for the governor of Kerman. Even so, in the beginning of the Qajar reign, tribes such as Teimoori, Meymani, Firooz Koohi, Jamsheedi and Zangi refrained from coming under the central power, and created unrest during the reigns of Fathali Shah and Mohammad Shah. Alike the former dynasties, the Qajars found the management of the borders of the country in Central Asia, and the control of tribes in the plains of Turkaman an extremely difficult task. Thus, drawing a strong hand on the Ozbak and Turkamans in order that they be subdued was not a minor problem. The most important of the Turkaman tribes in this period within the country were the Guglan and Yamoot tribes, each of which were followers of the Sunnite sect. The former were the decamping type and on the move, whereas the latter existed on both sides of the border, and were engaged in agricultural activities as well as being nomads or a desert tribe.
In the mid 19th century the region of Tehran had various tribes, amongst which the Shahsavan tribe proved the largest and comprised of 9,000 tents. The said would shuttle between Qom, Tehran, Qazvin and Zanjan within seasonal periods of the year, and scattered in these areas. Whereas the other smaller groups who ultimately struggled with poverty, refrained from decamping to other regions, and spent the cold winters in their clay dwellings. There were two large tribes such as the Garoos and Shahsavan, the former comprising of 4,000 - 5,000 families, and the latter comprised of 2,500 tents. In the beginning of the 20th century, all these tribes, except for the Talesh tribe of the Gilan region and a minor portion of the Shahsavan tribe was settled down. The most important tribe of Hamadan, Malayer, Towiserkan and Farahan regions was the Gharahgozloo tribe with a Turkish language. In the Assad Abad area and part of the plains of Hamadan was the realm of the Afshar tribe, besides which about 1,500 families of the Lak tribe and its various branches resided here too.
The Kurds resided in Khorassan and other areas like Kermanshah, Ardalan tribe resided in the south of Lake Orumieh. This group existed on the borders of Iran and Turkey, crossing the borders when ever the need arose. The most highly populated tribes of this area were the Kalhor tribes, with 11,500 tents and dwellings, the Sanjabi tribe comprising of 1,000 tents and settlements and the Guran tribe comprising of 3,300 tents and houses. The Kurd settlements on the south of Lake Orumieh, on the surface seemed to abide by the Shah, but in actual fact remained segregated from the central government rule. The Hakari tribe which maintained a Kurdish dialect resided in the west of Orumieh, near Salmas and the borders of Iran and Turkey.
In the Azarbayjan region, the Shahsavan tribe, which was a Turkish dialect speaking tribe, was one of the largest with a population of about 11,000 to 12,000 families. Of which 6,000 to 7,000 families resided in the Meshkin vicinity and the rest in Ardabil. The Inanloo clan was the most important of the Shahsavan tribe. Coincidentally, a part of the Shamloo clan was integrated in the Shahsavan tribe, and another part of it, known as the Baharloo tribe was settled in a minority in the Fars region, being a section of the Khamseh tribe.
At the beginning of the Qajar period, clans such as Gharajedag, Gharabagh and Talesh who were at the borders of Iran and Russia, played a vital role in settling disputes between the two governments. Furthermore, tribes such as Chalabianloo, Gharachorloo, Haj Aliloo, Baibordi and Begdaloo existed in over 500 tents and dwellings as was reported. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the tribal scene witnessed a change caused by various factors. Many of the chieftains of such tribes served in the government, and were drawn to city life or again held ransom in the capital. In addition to which, a few went abroad. All these elements helped in weakening the strong hold and unity of the tribe itself. On the revolt of the people for a constitutional government (Constitutional Movement), a new phase over took their life-style, as well as that of the tribes. In connection with the latter, some took the side of this government, whilst others favored the despots.
According to the general election law of the year 1906, there were six constituents. Besides the Qajar, the other tribes were not distinguished and were considered as one of the inhabitants residing in a particular vicinity. However, in the year 1908, this rule altered in regards to tribes such as Shahsavan, Qashqaie, Khamseh of Fars, Turkamans and the Bakhtiyari. According to article 63 of the general elections, each of these tribes nominated a representative for the parliament. In the early years of the constitutional government, together with the upheaval that followed, and the suspension of the Constitution in the year 1908 - 1909, the ruling power was unable to control the tribal vicinities. This prompted the Iran and British Oil Company to engage such tribes like the Arabs and Bakhtiyari to protect the oil fields that were discovered. During World War I, tribal areas were in turmoil and unrest. After the war, Reza Khan, with the aid of the government settled the tribes throughout the country, such as the Kurds who were disarmed. In the year 1924 the Bakhtiyari and Qashqaie tribes were disarmed to a considerable extent. The Turkamans too were taken under central power to a certain limit. These activities continued till the tribes were well and proper settled. But World War II brought an emergence of self-rule in the Bakhtiyari, Kurds and rebellious tribes of the south of Iran in the year 1946.
In accordance to statistical records of the year 1987, Iran has 96 tribes (that is 180,223 families comprising of a population of 1,152,099). These are settled tribes, which are continuously decreasing. According to the census of 1996 of the Statistical Center of Iran, the number of non residents are approximately 2,110,406. Though the tribes and clans are scattered in distinct areas of the country, this in itself denotes the influence of the central rule on such realms. At times, due to political reasons tribes were compelled to migrate to other regions. Such an example can be the Kurds of Kurdestan who migrated to the territory of northern Khorassan. But it can be stated that each tribe witheld its own cultural and social traditions where ever they resided; such as the Shahsavan tribe of northern Azarbayjan and the Kurds of Kurdestan. Even so between the Qashqaie and Bakhtiyari tribes. Historical surveys reveal that some of the tribes of Iran have a common ancestor.
A large portion of the tribes of central and western Iran are of the Lur dialect. These are divided into two groups, that is the Lor-e-Bozorg (Greater Lors) and Lor-e-Koochak (Smallere Lors). Branches of these tribes were decamped to the mountainous regions of central Iran. Tribes such as the Bakhtiyari, Kohkiluyeh, Mamasani and Boyer Ahmad are of this group, and yet are completely distinct from each other. During the Safavid era, groups from the Afshar tribe were decamped from khorassan to Azarbayjan, and yet another group to Kohkiluyeh and Khuzestan. On the conquest of the Fars tribes by Aqa Mohammad Khan Qajar in the year 1206 AH, 12,000 families that proved rebellious were decamped from the surrounding regions of Shiraz and were settled near Tehran. During the reign of Nasereddin Shah, the Hezareh tribe were decamped to Khorassan, but due to unrest and turmoil, were compelled to scatter in smaller groups. Formerly, this dispersion depended solely on the acquirement of pastoral vicinities. But gradually this gained a political aspect, thus conserving limits and distinctions as to the jurisdiction of tribes. Currently, the tribes are dispersed in the following regions:
The North and Northwestern tribes of Iran, comprising of various clans such as the Turkaman tribes. The same are within the limits of the provinces of Golestan and Khorassan.
The northwestern tribes of Iran, enveloping such tribes as the Shahsavan, Arasbaran, Afshar-e-Qezelbash, Garahgozloo and various clans of the Khamseh tribe. These are within the limits of eastern and West Azarbayjan, Hamadan, Ardabil and Zanjan.
The Western tribes of Iran, comprising of those having a Kurdish dialect, Kalhor, Sanjabi, Gurkani and... The said reside in the provinces of Kermanshah, West Azarbayjan and Kurdestan.
The southwest and southern tribes of Iran, comprising of various clans such as the Khamseh, Qashqaie, Arab and the Lor-e-Koochak. These are settled in the provinces of Fars, Khuzestan and Lurestan.
The south eastern tribes of Iran, comprising of the Balooch tribes rsiding in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
The tribes of central Iran, these are namely, the Bakhtiyari, Boyer Ahmad, Doshman Ziyari, Charam, Bavi, Bahmehyi, Tayebi, Mokran and ........ The same reside within the limits of the provinces of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh and Kerman.
The eastern and northeastern tribes of Iran, which comprise of various clans settled in the province of Khorassan.
Tribes of Iran
There are about one million nomads in modern Iran, extending from the border of Turkistan to the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Most of these tribes, the Kurds, the Lurs, the Bakhtiaris, the Guilaks (on the Caspian Coast), the Baluchis, are the original invaders who, in the first millennium BC, swept down from central Asia and settled in various parts of the Iranian plateau. Most of the tribes of central Iran are from pure Aryan stock, while other tribes such as the Arabs of Khuzestan and Khorasan, the Turkish tribes of Quchan, the Qashqai tribes, the Shahsavan and Afshar tribes of Azarbaijan and the Turkmans are remnants of races that have passed through Iran at various periods of history.
Today there are over a hundred different tribes, each with its own dialect, picturesque dress, dwelling-place and chief. The most important tribes are as follows.
Afshars and Shahsavans: They have their summer quarters on the slopes of the Sabalan mountain at 4,821 meters and their winter quarters are in the hot plains of Moghan, near the Caspian coast.
Baluchi Tribes: Their language is pure Persian and they are scattered in a vast area from the Pakistan border to the Iranian deserts. The Baluchis consist of many different smaller tribes, making their living out of camel herding and agriculture.
Kurds: The Kurdish people of Iran occupy a vast area from the northern most borderline of Azarbaijan to the hot plain of Khuzestan. They speak an old Persian dialect and consist of many tribes of which the chief branches are:
The northern Kurds of Maku and northwestern Azarbaijan;
The Mahabad Kurds, dwelling in the area between Lake Orumieh and the mountains of Kurdestan proper;
The Kurds of Sanandaj with subdivisions in Paveh, Saqqez, and the Iraqi border;
The Kurds of Kermanshah, from the Zagross mountains to the Khuzestan plain.
Bakhtiaris: They dwell in the high grounds of Zard Kuh mountain extending to the south of Isfahan, with winter quarters on the Khuzestan plain. Their clothing, with trousers extraordinarily wide, round hat and short tunic, is reminiscent of the Arsasid (Parhtian) period, 200 BC-280 AD.
Guilaks: These tribes are among the most original tribes of Iran, speaking a pure Persian dialect and dwelling in the maritime provinces of Iran. Their number is dwindling, but one can still see the remnants of these stoic tribes in Talish.
Turkmans: They descend from the Mongols and are powerfully built, with high cheek bones and slanting eyes. They dwell on the vast flat lands of Turkmansahra, which is situated between the Caspian Coast and Khorasan mountains.
Qashqais: These Turkish-speaking tribesmen dwell among the high mountains of Fars. Their dress is almost the same as that of the Bakhtiaris, except for the hat which is a form of tribord resembling Napoleonic headgear.
Arab Tribes: These tribes are scattered along the Persian Gulf coast and the hot plain of Khuzestan. Their most important clans are Ka'ab, Tamim and Khamis. A small population of Arab tribes, descendants of early emigrants, live in eastern Khorasan near Bojnurd and in some places in Fars.
Lur Tribes: They are probably the most intact tribes of Iran, retaining their robustness, virility, and tall stature. They are mostly cultivators and shepherds and occupy the high grounds of Lurestan. The Lurs are thought to be a division of the ancient Kurds, both tribes being considered true descendants of the Medes. The Mamasani Lurs dwelling in western mountains of Fars are one of the most important clans.

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