Autumn calls for migration of nomads in Iran’s Ardabil Province

Autumn chill in the air says it is the migration seasons for the Shahsevan and Gharehdagh nomads of Iran’s Ardabil Province.

The migration season of the Shahsevan and Gharehdagh nomads has just begun from cold Sabalan highs, Bozghush, and Baghro Mountains to the summer pastures of Moghan plain.

Some nomads walk the 300-kilometer route with their livestock, while others use vehicles.

The Shahsevan tribe is the third largest nomad tribe in Iran with the annual production of 45,000 tons of milk and 700 tons of cheese.

As a country populated by different tribes each dividing into different groups, Iran is home to two of the most prominent tribes named Qashqai and Bakhtiari who follow a nomadic and tribal lifestyle with their economy being based on herding.     

Since herding cattle is the nomad’s main source of income, they travel and move from one place to another along with their family and all their belongings. They move to Yeylagh (cooler countryside) in summer where the grass is plentiful for their flocks of sheep and goats; and back to Gheshlagh (warmer areas) in winter as their well-fed cattle getting stronger and ready to withstand the winter.

Also read:

A unique tribal journey to discover another face of Iran

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