Lurs
Total population | |
---|---|
5,000,000 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Iran | |
Languages | |
Luri and Persian | |
Religion | |
Mainly Shia Islam; minority Sunni Islam and Yarsanism[3] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Other Iranian peoples |
The Lurs (Persian: لر) are an Iranian people living in western Iran. The four Luri branches are the Bakhtiari, Mamasani, Kohgiluyeh and Lur proper, who are principally linked by the Luri language.[4]
History
Lurs are a mixture of aboriginal
The history of the Lurs is closely linked with the dynasties that ruled in
The new Iranian monarch Reza Shah (r. 1925–1941) brought the Bakhtiari lands into the normal system of Iranian government, which included forcibly making semi-nomadic tribesmen settle. The semi-nomadic way of life that many Bakhtiaris and Lurs were familiar with, however, returned as a result of Reza Shah's toppling in 1941 and the period of less effective rule during the early years of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's reign. In 1986, at the time of the publication of Vladimir Minorsky's entry on the Lurs in the 2nd edition of the Encyclopaedia of Islam, a sizeable portion of the Lurs and Bakhtiaris were still living that way of life.[13]
Culture
The authority of tribal elders remains a strong influence among the nomadic population. It is not as dominant among the settled urban population. As among Kurds, Lur women have much greater freedom than women in other groups within the region. The women have more freedom to participate in different social activities, to wear diverse types of female clothing and to sing and dance in different ceremonies.[14] Bibi Maryam Bakhtiari is a notable Luri woman.[15] Luri music, Luri clothing and Luri folk dances are some of the most distinctive ethno-cultural characteristics of this ethnic group.
Many Lurs are small-scale agriculturists and shepherds. A few Lurs are also traveling musicians. Luri textiles and weaving skills are highly esteemed for their workmanship and beauty.[16]
Religion
Most Lurs are Shia Muslim. Historically, many Lurs adhered to Yarsanism but almost the whole Yarsani Luri population has converted to Shia Islam.[17] A small Sunni Muslim community of Lurs also exists.[3] According to the Encyclopaedia of Islam, the Lurs revere bread and fire like the Zoroastrians.[18] Recent reports also indicate a growing Zoroastrian religious movement, particularly among Bakhtiari Lurs.[19]
Language
Luri is a Western Iranian language continuum spoken by about four million people. The continuum constitutes the three dialects of Bakhtiari, Luristani and Southern Luri which linguist Anonby situates between Kurdish and Persian.[6]
Luri branches
There are several established branches of the Luri language.[20]
- Bakhtiari
- Southern Lori
- Boyerahmadi (Yasuji)
- Kohgiluyei
- Mamasani
- Luristani (Northern Lori)
- Khorramabadi
- Borujerdi
- Bala Gariva Lori
- Hinimini
- Shuhani
Genetics
Considering their
See also
References
- ^ "Iran". The World Factbook. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ "Iran" (PDF). New America Foundation. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
- ^ a b Mortensen, Inge Demant (3 April 2015). "LURISTAN v. Religion, Rituals, and Popular Beliefs". Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ .
- .
- ^ S2CID 162293895.
- ^ Opie, James (1992). Tribal Rugs: Nomadic and Village Weavings from the Near East and Central Asia. 9781856690256: Pennsylvania State University. p. 104.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ Gheitasi, Mojtaba. "Language distribution: Ilam Province". Iran Atlas. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ISBN 9780521077910.
- ISBN 9780521564960.
- ^ Minorsky 1986, p. 821.
- ^ Minorsky 1986, p. 824.
- ^ Minorsky 1986, p. 826.
- ISBN 9789004173446.
- ISBN 9789649046518.
- ISBN 0-7566-0520-2.
- ISBN 978-981-15-2635-0.
- Hamilton Alexander Rosskeen Gibb; Johannes Hendrik Kramers; Bernard Lewis; Charles Pellat; Joseph Schacht (1954). The Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ "Cleric Says Some Iranian Muslims Converting to Other Religions".
- ^ Anonby, Erik. "Traditional classification tree". Iran Atlas. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ PMID 22815981.
- ^ PMID 11526236.
- ^ Semino O, Passarino G, Oefner P J, Lin A A, Arbuzova S, Beckman L E, de Benedictis G, Francalacci P, Kouvatsi A, Limborska S, et al. (2000) Science 290:1155–1159
- ^ Underhill P A, Passarino G, Lin A A, Shen P, Foley R A, Mirazon-Lahr M, Oefner P J, Cavalli-Sforza L L (2001) Ann Hum Genet 65:43–62
- PMID 15069642.
- ^ PMID 22815981.
External links
- Amanolahi, Sekandar (2002). "Reza Shah and the Lurs: the Impact of the Modern State On Luristan". Iran and the Caucasus. 6 (1): 193–218. .
- Minorsky, V. (1986). "Lur". In ISBN 978-90-04-07819-2.
- ""Luri" Carpet weaving style incorporating design themes of ancient Persia". JOZAN. Retrieved 2015-09-21.