Homeland

The homeland of the Bakhtiari people is in the state of Iran. They inhabit about 156,000 square kilometers in and near the central Zagros Mountains of Iran. The most recent estimate of their population in this area is about 3 to 4 million people. They are traditionally nomadic pastoralists who make their winter encampments in the low hills along the narrow fringe of the northeast Khuzestan plain and their summer pastures in the intermontane valleys. Other Bakhtiari live in permanent agricultural settlements throughout the larger area, except at the highest elevations.  The latter designation largely relates to the nature of the tribe's annual "migration". This has to do with the harsh nature of Bakhtiari life and overcoming of countless difficulties that Bakhtiaris have faced in the Zagros ranges. In this sense, Bakhtiaris view themselves as a hardworking tribe, facing numerous obstacles everyday and yet fortunate enough to overcome each of these challenges as a solid unit.
Nevertheless, the origins of Bakhtiaris are ancient and it may have very well been the case that the tribe underwent a series of name changes throughout its life. However It is mostly acclaimed that the designation "Bakhtiari" came largely into use some where in antiquity. The Bakhtiari people are mainly from two tribal divisions, Chahar lang (English: Four Legs) and Haft lang (English: Seven Legs). Due to the harsh nature of their life style, Bakhtiaris have been able to keep their blood lines intact, largely marrying within their own tribe. Bakhtiaris trace a common lineage, being divided into the Chahar Lang  (The Four Legs) and Haft Lang (The Seven Legs) groups, each controlled by a single powerful family. The overall Khan alternates every two years between the chiefs of the Chahar Lang and the Haft Lang. The latter designation largely relates to the nature of the tribe's annual "migration". This has to do with the harsh nature of Bakhtiari life and overcoming of countless difficulties that Bakhtiaris have faced in the Zagros ranges. In this sense, Bakhtiaris view themselves as a hardworking tribe, facing numerous obstacles everyday and yet fortunate enough to overcome each of these challenges as a solid unit.