Basseri Tribe

Albayati 1
Tiba Albayati
Dr. Gregory Simon
Anthro 102
17th October 2020
Integration of Society of Basseri Tribe
Basseri, the pastoral nomadic society, exists in the southern Iran. The Basseri Tribe are
the Shiite’s Muslims, however, non-orthodoxical, that is, they aren’t involved in true practices of
Islam, and often ignore the obligations (pg.55). However, their mode is living is quite intriguing.
Though, there is no prestige amongst the tribe based on the prestige, the nomadic tribe exists
based on their herds of sheep and goats, which is their source of income and source of income
generating products, which they sell at the bazaar. They have a nomadic route, known as il-rah,
or commonly known as the “tribal road”, which is the property of the tribe, and used by the tribe
for their encampment in different seasons and it could be that, it’s their mode of survival. It’s
exceptionally well-managed system, where small classifications of the tribe don’t overlap. The
Basseri can be related or referred to the bands, tribe and chiefdom, based on the integration of
society they form.
To start with discussion, it’s imperative to say that Basseri is the descent group and can
be known as a clan, where each and every individual refer to their common ancestor, which goes
by the name of the tribe, the Basseri. Basseri follows the patrilineal system, meaning, that
children and inheritance propagates through father, while this tribal system has a unique concept,
the uncles from the mother’s side share a nurturing relationship with children. “The son of
Basseri is a Basseri, regardless of the affiliation of his mother” (pg. 48). Nonetheless, the elder
male of the household is the head of the family, and goes to discuss problems with other heads.
Albayati 2
These heads don’t have any political power in the tribe, but they put forth their troubles to the
head of the tribe, which in turn, put forth the concerns to the chief.
Band is the association of small families of tribes gathered together to form a small
section. This collection of household integration is mainly through kinship, but could also be
based on the skills and common occupations. For instance, Basseri follows the neolocal status,
means, they nuclear families establish themselves in new homes and have to propagate through
their own. However, being nomadic, while males being the head of the family, and women doing
the cleaning and weaving chores, the herds of the nuclear family is difficult to manage. To that
end, the shepherds and families involved in taking care of the herd band together and share
responsibilities. It goes the same for agricultural purposes. These families form bands and pitch
their tent together to grow together and share responsibilities. However, in political terms, they
don’t have power in the tribe, but a mutual understanding. (pg.47)
Tribe can be said the bigger unit of band, as they have more people for unity, preventing
the disintegration of society. The tribes have a headman, often appointed by chief of the tribe,
though, the headman don’t have real authority to enforce laws. They use the power of persuasion
to navigate through the disputes and to move to other locations, while harnessing tribe’s
unanimous support (pg.48). Basseri shares the same relationship. The chief of Basseri tribe
appoints headman to the each of his tribe and given that, these headmen aren’t given special
powers from the chief to enforce the law. However, their sole purpose is to relay the information
about their tribes to the chief of Basseri, which the chief uses to make decisions for the tribe
(pg.53).
Lastly, Chiefdom is a political integration, where the society has a prominent leader, who
is the sole authority. He enforces the laws and make decisions. He can form alliances with other
Albayati 3
tribes to settle disputes, or can wage wars against the other tribes. The tribes often give him gifts
and he in turn, distribute those gifts amongst his tribe to be successful. Although, in Chiefdom,
there are no bureaucrats, but can have few administrators. Basseri are related to chiefdom, as
Basseri tribe has a chief. He appoints the headmen for his tribes, but he has the sole
responsibility to manage the affairs of his tribe and generate revenues. He is much more
sedentary and not nomadic, owns a land and stays there. He is the sole authority and enforcer of
the laws. He can decide the punishment for the felons of the tribes or excommunicate the tribe
for insubordination. Hence, he is the one leader of the whole tribe and all tribes give tributes to
the chief (the tax, in form of sheep or goats), which the chief distributes amongst different
suffering tribes, to elevate their economic turmoil. (pg.52-55)
Basseri, although, a tribe, but it has different society associations, all in together. These
associations are formed by the members of the tribes all by themselves for mutual gain and
support, however, not enforced by chief. The Basseri, although being the pastrol nomadic tribe,
has a well-established system and quite complex, yet simple values, which is intriguing and
practical for the welfare of all the members of the tribe.
Works Cited
Peters-Golden, Holly. Culture Sketches. 6th ed., Mcgraw-Hill Publishing, 2011, pp. 40-53.

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Albayati 1

society they form.

don’t have power in the tribe, but a mutual understanding. (pg.47)

suffering tribes, to elevate their economic turmoil. (pg.52-55)

practical for the welfare of all the members of the tribe.

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