Iran, 1977

My father and two brothers were working in Iran at this time. My mother went with them and they were there for about seven months at several job sites in the desert, Tehran, Bandar Abbas and elsewhere. This location on the map, west of Shiraz, is approximate, based on my brother's recollection. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qashqai_people

Going to summer pastures. Their Ashayeri, the aboriginal dog of Persia, leads the way. It's more of a herd guarding dog than a shepherd. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qashqai_people

Photos taken by my brother. Here is what he said about them in an e-mail: [Pictures] are of the Fars nomad tribe whom we encountered between Shiraz and Bandar Bushehr. The Fars region extends from the lower elevations (and hot as hell in the summer) of the Gulf to the higher (cooler) elevations of the Zagros Mountain. They were leaving the scolding hot lower el. to the mountains. Hundreds of them in all, with probably sub-tribes all migrating in different valley's and creek bottoms up to the summer pastures. Shiraz and area is beautiful. I had a funny verbal exchange with the young guy and (his dad)? on the small horses. I could speak pretty good Farsi by then. I was saying hello respectfully as they passed. When the young guy said something kind of challenging and made the old guy chuckle. I said something back a little cocky but humorous that made them laugh again. The young guy came back with something kind of sassy which made them laugh again. I wished them good luck and safe trip, the young guy said thanks same to you, go with god etc. which made them all smile and nod their heads."

Photos taken by my brother. Here is what he said about them in an e-mail: [Pictures] are of the Fars nomad tribe whom we encountered between Shiraz and Bandar Bushehr. The Fars region extends from the lower elevations (and hot as hell in the summer) of the Gulf to the higher (cooler) elevations of the Zagros Mountain. They were leaving the scolding hot lower el. to the mountains. Hundreds of them in all, with probably sub-tribes all migrating in different valley's and creek bottoms up to the summer pastures. Shiraz and area is beautiful. I had a funny verbal exchange with the young guy and (his dad)? on the small horses. I could speak pretty good Farsi by then. I was saying hello respectfully as they passed. When the young guy said something kind of challenging and made the old guy chuckle. I said something back a little cocky but humorous that made them laugh again. The young guy came back with something kind of sassy which made them laugh again. I wished them good luck and safe trip, the young guy said thanks same to you, go with god etc. which made them all smile and nod their heads."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qashqai_people AA294 Movement.

Aww, look at that cute baby donkey!

On their way to summer pastures. Typical Persian herd guarding dog on the right. Some experts say it's related to the Turkish Kangal dog and they do look very similar. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qashqai_people AA294 Movement.

My father and two brothers were working in Iran at this time. My mother went with them and they were there for about seven months at several job sites in the desert, Tehran, Bandar Abbas and elsewhere. This location on the map, west of Shiraz, is approximate, based on my brother's recollection.