Cultural Diversity

Iran is a culturally diverse society, and inter-ethnic relations are generally harmonious. The predominant ethnic and cultural group in the country consists of native speakers of Persian. But the people who are generally known as Persians are of mixed ancestry, and the country has important Turkic and Arab elements in addition to the Kurds, Baloch, Bakhtyārī, Lurs, and other smaller minorities (Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and others).

The Persians, Kurds, and speakers of other Indo-European languages in Iran are descendants of the Aryan tribes that began migrating from Central Asia into what is now Iran in the 2nd millennium B.C. Those of Torkish ancestry are the descendants of tribes that appeared in the region—also from Central Asia—beginning in the 11th century ad, and the Arab minority settled predominantly in the country’s southwest, in Khūzestān. The Kurds have been both urban and rural (with a significant portion of the latter at times nomadic), and they are concentrated in the western mountains of Iran. Closely related are the Bakhtyārī tribes, who live in the Zagros Mountains west of Eṣfahān. The Baloch are a smaller minority who inhabit Iranian Baluchistan, which borders on Pakistan. The larges group is the Azerbaijanians, a farming and herding people who inhabit two border provinces in the northwestern corner of Iran. Two other Turkic ethnic groups are the Qashqāʾī, in the Shīrāz area to the north of the Persian Gulf, and the Turkmen, of Khorāsān in the northeast.

The Armenians, with a different ethnic heritage, are concentrated in Tehrān, Eṣfahān, and the Azerbaijan region and are engaged primarily in commercial pursuits. A few isolated groups speaking Dravidian dialects are found in the Sīstān region to the southeast. Semites—Jews, Assyrians, and Arabs—constitute only a small percentage of the population. The Jews trace their heritage in Iran to the Babylonian Exile of the 6th century bc and, like the Armenians, have retained their ethnic, linguistic, and religious identity. Both groups traditionally have clustered in the largest cities. The Assyrians are concentrated in the northwest, and the Arabs live in Khūzestān as well as in the Persian Gulf islands.

Eshtebin village

This village is located on the borderline of Iran and the Republic of Azarbayjan, 14 km. from the Aras River. With its pleasant climate and natural beauty it stands in importance to the village of Kandowan in this province. A few ... More

Masuleh Village

This village which is one of the most visited traditional and natural sites of Gilan is located 65 kilometers southwest of Rasht city. The importance of this village lies in its unique architecture: the roof of a house is the ... More

Local Dances

Kurdish music so to speak spells notes well intermingling with the life, culture, historical, music and religious beliefs of the people. The Hooreh or Ahoura melody is a distinct example of such music. Some of the musical ... More

Kandovan village

This village lies 62 km. southwest of Tabriz and 22 km. south of Oskoo. From the architectural point of views this village is interesting, as the settlements are rocky dating back to the 7th century AH. or even the pre-Islamic ... More

Rakhtshur Khaneh Structure

This famous edifice is located in Baba Jamal Choqoie Zanjan. It was constructed by two brothers named Mashad Akbar (an architect of those times) and Mashadi Esmail, (a mason). This construction can be divided into two parts. The ... More

Abianeh Village

This village which is one of the most famous mild climate villages of Isfahan is located at 28 km distance to the city of Natanz on the foothills of Karkas Mountain. The interesting issue about this village is its social ... More