"Studying the lives of nomadic women over the past century:" : An Ethnographic Research among Selected Bakhtiari Tribes (Babadi and Baba Ahmadi).

Abstract:

Purpose: Nomadic women have always played a very significant role in all aspects of nomadic life. Since ancient times, nomadic women have performed a large volume of productive and economic activities, as well as activities related to daily living. "With the passage of time, there have been slight and minor changes in the volume of activities of nomadic women." The transformations that have occurred in the lives of both nomadic The change from nomadism to settlement can be considered a turning point in the life changes of a nomadic household. The main question in this research is what the current living condition, role and status of nomadic women are, and what changes they have experienced over the past century. What is the situation of settled nomadic women?"

Methodology

This research has been conducted with a qualitative approach, utilizing qualitative ethnographic inquiries." The study's population consists of the households of both nomadic and settled families of the Baba Ahmadi and Babadi Bakhtiari tribes. In this research, various techniques such as observation, interviews, documents, and archives have been used for data collection." Presence in the field, as an important method of data collection, through conducting semi-structured and unstructured interviews, led to the acquisition of first-hand information."

Findings:

Throughout the past century, the lives of the nomadic and pastoral communities have undergone many changes and transformations." These transformations have impacted the nomadic society in various respects across different tribes, clans, and families, affecting men and women, as well as youth and middle-aged individuals. These changes and transformations have led to alterations in the lifestyle of women in nomadic households and, to some extent, to the blending of traditions and customs with the rules of modern life.These changes are more noticeable in the lives of women from nomadic communities who have settled in cities."

Conclusion:

Nomadic life has been accompanied by hardships and various difficulties. However, nomadic women have faced their own specific challenges and problems." Although changes have occurred in some aspects of the lives of nomadic women, many of the problems that have existed since centuries past continue to persist.Today, many nomadic girls are not interested in the nomadic lifestyle and herding."Urbanization has had various consequences for nomadic women. Nomadic women have a very different experience of settlement compared to men. Settlement has had both positive and negative effects for them. The nomadic woman living in nature has distanced herself from all her activities and roles in production and has become sedentary. The nomadic woman has gained access to amenities after settlement. However, another consequence of settlement for her is becoming unemployed and transitioning from an active woman to an inactive one. The nomadic woman, by settling in the city, has gained better opportunities in the field of rights and civil laws.