Geography of Nomadism

From among the features of nomadic societies is their surprising complexity and variety. The geography of nomads tries to propose answers as to why such societies are so complex and differing, and why, say, some are intricately organized while some others are very small and simple; or why some of such communities are belligerent and some other groups are antiwar and pacifist.
This book has made attempts to discuss the issues related to the phenomena of nomadic lifestyle and livelihood in three parts and eight chapters. In the first part, after an introductory explanation on the basics and terminologies concerning nomadic life, the author illustrates the origination and a brief history of nomadic life in the world, and explains types and forms of migration on a global scale. The second part will in detail study nomadic life in Iran as well as natural, human, historical and economic factors such as tribal economics, grassland, summer quarters and winter
quarters which all helped this phenomenon to flourish.
Iran with over one million nomads, 96 tribes and 547 independent clans is one of the most important nomadic loci in the world. Thus, special attention ought to be paid to this topic and it is not possible to have fundamental and comprehensive view on this matter unless we focus on case studies. Therefore, in the third part, two big tribes, that is the Turkmen, an example of a settled tribe, and the Bakhtiaris, the most populated nomadic tribe, are thoroughly studied. Natural territories, internal hierarchies, organization and its system, demography and their economy are among the topics discussed in relation to the abovementioned prominent tribes.