Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari -04
Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari      | ♦ Capital: Shahr and Kord   | ♦ Surface: 16 201 km²  | ♦ Inhabitants: 843 784 (2006)
History and CultureFeaturesSouvenirs and handicraftsCustoms and CostumesWhere to eat and sleep

Geographic context

The region of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari is located in the central part of the Zagros Mountains. The city of Shahr-e Kord is the capital of the region and its major population centers are: Ardal, Lordegan, Borujen and Farsan. The territory of the Bakhtiyari presents a singular and characteristic environment, its visitors discover a high mountain range with narrow valleys, vast plateaus with rivers full of water, oak and plane trees woods, and rich pastures on the Zagros Mountains. The highest point in the region is the top of Mount Zard Kuh and the lower part is located in Armand.

Climate

The mountainous character of the territory and the difference in the moisture content present in the air, beyond the relative share of the different areas, have made sure that in this region there is a considerable variety of temperatures. Therefore, the climate of the region is generally cold in the winter season and temperate in the summer.

History and culture

Given its ancient link with the area of ​​Lorestan, the region of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari is one of the oldest lands of Iranian civilization. The conservation and putting into practice of that ancient culture in this territory were one of its peculiar traits that lasts until today. The Bakhtiyari are a population of Iranian descent and were part of the group of ancient Persians who, in the seventh and sixth centuries BC. C., settled on the slopes of the current Bakhtiyari Mountains. In truth, the history of the region of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari has merged with that of its inhabitants, who are a branch of the Lor's ethnic group that throughout the history of Iran became famous as the 'Great Lor'. Also the Bakhtiyari, in turn, are divided into two large groups: 'Haft Lang' and 'Chahar Lang'. The summer pastures of the 'Chahar Lang' lie to the north of the region, while those of the 'Haft Lang' are to the south. In the past, the Bakhtiyari territory was part of the Fars or Khuzestan region.

Souvenirs and handicrafts

The handicrafts of this region are: jajim, kilim, rugs, traditional embroidered slippers, felt fabrics and hats, chugha, traditional saddlebags, tents for nomad camps, khor, zhelas, ladles and wooden spoons. Also the different types of Gaz (a type of soft nougat) - Gaz-e baldaji, Gaz of flour, Gaz-and Loqme and Gaz of chocolate - are part of the souvenirs of this region.

The ritual of the stick game of the Bakhtiari nomads

Among the peoples of the Zagros mountains, stick fighting has a glorious history and nowadays it is used on festive occasions. The game of the stick and the handkerchief are two traditional rituals of these areas whose origin is the battlefield. The game of the stick, together with the musical accompaniment with the horn and the drum, practiced nowadays in the festivals among the Bakhtiari, is one in which two men with two sticks engage in a symbolic fight against each other. The thick and hard stick in this symbolic fight is in the hands of the defender, while the fine one, which is accompanied with a movement of the shoulders, is in the hands of the attacker and the fighting field has also been designed to escape from the attack of the stick end. The Bakhtiari perform the game of the stick in their parties.
Local cuisine
The dishes of the local cuisine of this region are: Kabab-e Bakhtiyari, Halim of rice, meat and wheat, Tas Kabab and meat broth. In the past, the population of this region prepared a special fuel, called 'Surde', with which they also lit the fire of the old Korsi (the traditional Iranian warming). The younger ones put the potatoes in 'Surde' and, once cooked, they ate them with animal oil. The inhabitants of Shahr-e Kord called this food 'Khol Paz'.
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