TEHRAN Decamping has a long history in Iran and the nomadic tribes have played an important role in the historical, economic and cultural affairs of this country. Decamping refers to the seasonal migration of tribal families, together with their livestock, from one place to another and vice versa (i.e. going to summer and winter quarters). The objective of decamping is to graze the livestock on fresh green meadows and pastures the year round and its ultimate goal is to rear livestock and make use of their products.

Another reason for this movement is love of the nomadic life and its particular culture. It can be said, therefore, on the one hand, decamping is a function of the animal husbandry system and on the other, it is a function of a natural life style with its own cultural and social characteristics. Many sociologists and anthropologists believe it to be a type of human adaptation to the environment and also think that the nomadic life is more ancient and has a longer history than urbanization.

Iran is a land covered with high mountains, hills and vast deserts, whose climate varies from region to region. Thus it offers a very propitious environment for nomadic life. Tribe and mountain cannot be separated from each other. Wherever there is a mountain, a tribe could also be found. A glance at the map of the Iranian plateau shows the mountains of Ararat, the mountain ranges of Zagros, the Alborz mountain range.

Wherever you wander in these mountains , you will come across black tents, livestock, other animals and hard-working people. The black tents of nomads are light and portable and can be easily pitched and dismantled. Famous Iranian tribes such as Qashqaei, Bakhtiari, Kurd, Lor, Turkman, Il-Sevan and Balouch and Sangsaris are among the Famous nomads of this land. They periodically cover the distance between the cold and warm regions and vice versa every year, passing through narrow roads known as the Tribes Roads. Covering this distance, the nomads have to stay temporarily in specific spots which have been determined by precise consideration of the natural conditions of the region.

These locations have been given different names by the different tribes, for example: Varge, Manzel, Yourt, etc. Livestock from the basis of the nomad's economy and generally speaking, the life of nomads is dependent upon the livestock in many aspects. Firstly, these quadrupeds are sources of food, and secondly, The animal products meet a major part of the tribes clothing and equipment needs.

From the natural points of view, nomadism is human life style which calls for its followers to repose in the bosom of nature rather than to live in one place and made animal husbandry a skill of its own. One of the well-known nomadic tribes of Iran is called the Qashqaei tribe. The tribe migrates from summer to winter quarters and back again throughout the south of Iran and in different areas of Fars Province. As Qashqaeis say, If you take the right of migration away from the Qashqaei tribe, it will resemble a fish out the water.

The black tents of the Qashqaei tribe are called Bohon. They are made of goat's hair and are black. The tribe uses camels, mules and horses for travelling and transporting their goods during the seasonal migrations. Camels are used mostly for carrying loads. One of the favorite pastimes of a Qashqaei tribesman is haunting birds and other animals. As other Iranian tribes, The women of the Qashqaei tribe are very skillful and can be described as experts in weaving.

They are very talented in weaving pile carpets, pileless carpets (Jajim) and black tents. The designs and ornamentations used in these woven articles are regional. the people of Qashqaei tribe are Shiites, and observe tribal and ethnic customs and mores. The language of the tribe is a mixture of Turkish and Farsi and most of them are able to speak Farsi. The paternal family is held in great respect amongst the Qashqaei people, and are seen as being almost sacrosanct.

Among the Qashqaei nomads, both celebratory and mourning ceremonies are frequently held. For example, the sound of trumpet and kettledrum can be heard during the decamping ceremonies and feasts. The people of the Qashqaei tribe have very rich popular culture, and their language boasts many pleasing myths and proverbs. Also, the population of the Qashqaei tribe is large. A Qashqaei proverb says,"You can compare the Qashqaei tribe with a sea, it rolls and rolls and then it lays still." One cannot neglect the material and style of the costumes of the Iranian tribesmen.

The style of dress differs from tribe to tribe and this variation can be seen in the costumes of both men and women. The beauty and decoration of the women's dress is however usually more noticeable. A closer look at the function and design of the different types of dress of men and women in these tribes leads one to view the costumes as a symbol of socio-cultural identity.

An investigation into the type of material used for tribal costumes, as well as their design and color, would stimulate the curiosity of many researchers and prompt them into acquiring more knowledge about the importance of dress amongst the various tribes. Our main reasons for wearing clothes stem from principles of modesty and for protecting ourselves against the sun and cold weather.

However in some cultures, clothes bear additional functions. Amongst the tribesmen, simply wearing clothes is not sufficient, rather than the addition of ornamentations such as colorful glass beads, coins and attractive purling is called for and represents social position and the cultural-economic status, such as age of economic prestige, of the weavers. In addition to its decorative purpose, the ornamentation on the women's costumes may also include a charm or a written prayer toward of evil, and on the whole represents both the aesthetic and ideological