The Bakhtiari (or Bakhtiyari) are a group of southwestern Iranian people.

A small percentage of Bakhtiari are still nomadic pastoralists, migrating between summer quarters (yaylāq, ييلاق) and winter quarters (qishlāq, قشلاق). Bakhtiaris speak Luri. Numerical estimates of their total population widely vary. In Khuzestan, Bakhtiari tribes are primarily concentrated in the eastern part of the province.

Bakhtiaris primarily inhabit the provinces of Lorestan, Khuzestan, Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari, and Isfahan. In Iranian mythology, the Bakhtiari consider themselves to be descendants of Fereydun, a legendary hero from the Persian national epic, Shahnameh.

Many significant Iranian politicians and dignitaries are of Bakhtiari origin.

Famous Bakhtiaris

• Sardar Assad, Bakhtiari Haft Lang Chieftain and Constitutionalist
• Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari, Queen of Iran (1951-58)
• Pezhman Bakhtiari, poet (1900-1974)
• Mohammed Mossadegh, Prime Minister (1951-53)
• Shahpour Bakhtiar, Politician and Prime Minister (1979)
• Rudi Bakhtiar, CNN TV news-anchor and journalist
• Oman Samani, poet

See also

• Lorestan
• Demographics of Iran
• Ethnic minorities in Iran

External links

• Information on Bakhtiaris in Persian
• Minorities At Risk: Assessment for Bakhtiari in Iran
• Travelling in Iran - Bakhtiari

Ethnic groups in Iran | Iranian peoples | Eurasian nomads | Pastoralists

Bachtiyārī | Bakhtiari