Basseri

1.  Why are domesticated animals so important to the Basseri? Please describe the type of anaimals that they use.

• The sheep and goats were used at the main source of food and money because they served as the source of meat, dairy, and dairy products. Donkeys and horses were ridden and Camels were used to carry belongings.

2.  Why is the institution of marriage so important to the Basseri?

• Marriage is important because it ensures political and economic benefits. The main reason marriage is important is that it forms connections with other families which are then nurtured to form a strong bond and create allies. This ensures that the nomadic way of life runs smoothly and less conflict arises. 

• I find it very interesting that in a culture where women have no rights, arranged marriages are enforced, sister exchange is not uncommon, and where the rules of levirate and sororate are followed (even if the individual protests) women are given compensation if the marriage ends in divorce. This was unexpected to me.

3.  Describe some of the major role expectations of the chief?

• conduct himself in the manner of someone with privilege

• live lavishly and give generously

• enforce taxes on his underlings

• invite tribesmen to his tent for a show of hospitality - this is done to gather intell. and to find out and then shape the public's image of himself.

• Organize migratory patters, settle disputes, allot pastures and act as the tribe's representative when dealing with outsiders. 

4.  In your opinion, what can we learn from the Basseri?

• The pain thing we can learn from the Basseri is respect. The basseri respect their environment and the animals in their care, killing/using only what they need. Being nomadic they have learned not to be wasteful and to be respectful of what they have. The Basseri also respect each other.  They do this because connections are so important in their culture, and the goal is to have allies. In order to do this they make it a point to be nice and do things for each other. This is an example that we should follow, especially with the way that our politics and interactions with other countries are going. We are making more enemies than allies at the moment. We should learn their respect.