Iran, les derniers grands nomades

PëRMBLEDHJE

Beginning of the journey in Chelgerd in the Zagros mountains: in this village of 2.989 inhabitants the family of Farzad has its summer quarters.Chelgerd is at 2.300 meters above sea level.But we shall travel to Khuzestan, where Farzag spends the winter with the sheep and and the goats near the town of Masjed Soleyman.The government has made buildings hoping that the Bakhhtiari people become sedentary: but many apartments are still empty. At the beginning of the spring some breeders will transport their animals to the summer quarters by trucks, also some women and children will travel by cars o trucks to the summer quarters in Chelgerd. But many other breeders will move with the sheep and goats on the roads and trails: some women and elder sons participate in the migration : they take care for the tents and the lambs that are transported on the back of donkeys and mules.On the way Farzad makes some stops: in one place they are shearing the sheep and he wants to buy some sheep: he sees also how women are weaving saddle clothes.In this lower part the children go to the public school about 6 months a year, later they help their parents to take care for the sheep and goats.Later Farzad meets a woman who has weaved the traditional costume for him.Then Farzad meets a cousin of his father , who is also going to Chelgerd with his goats and sheep.We see how the women are preparing the food for the families (fermented milk). In a village there is an engagement ceremony: the women are dancing with the children and the men look for a agreement (compensation in case of separation), later the fiance and the fiancee firm the agreement.Later Farzad follows this transhumance: a pass at 3.800 meters which is covered with snow: Farzad meets a widow who travels also with her sheep and goats.Then they go down and they find more rivers (the sheep and goats can drink water) and finally they arrive at Chelgerd: the nomad shepherds get together and play traditional music.On the next day, a great meeting of chieftains and family heads (one year after the death of a young man): the involved families will try to firm an agreement.Farzad meets Fariborz who is engineer and is now sedentary: Fariborz has promoted a cooperative in Chelgerd where the carpet weaver women can sell their carpets and other crafts to Iranian and foreigner tourists.The life of the Bakhtiari people who has decided to become sedentary is quite: we see the example of the baker who produces flat-breads in the village.Then in September, before going again to Khuzestan there are many traditional weddings in which men and women dance separately.Now the shepherds have cell phone and have a better communication with their families, nevertheless this migration is a hard moment for all, many hours riding horses or mules and a lot of work for women taking care for the lambs and young goats and also cooking for the families.

KOHëZGJATJA: 52 min