The Nomadic Festival of Ardabil
The Nomadic Festival of Ardabil, also known as the Mughan Nomadic Festival, is held every year in the spring season and early Ordibehesht (the second month of the Persian calendar) in the Mughan Plain (the outskirts of Ardabil). This season marks the migration of Shahsoon tribes towards the heights of Savalan Mountains. Currently, there are about 15,000 households and a population of approximately 80,000 people in Ardabil province. Like in the past, they migrate to the mountains and pastures in the spring and autumn seasons.
During this festival, booths are set up displaying unique and traditional tents of Iranian tribes, showcasing various products ranging from handicrafts to dairy products, giving visitors the opportunity to purchase and order. Musical performances, symbolic nomadic migrations, wedding ceremonies, honoring the elders and intellectuals of the tribes, and tribal leaders’ gatherings are among the ceremonies held at this festival.
Observing Islamic and Iranian customs and traditions is among the most important traditions of Shahsoon tribes. They hold their celebrations in open fields and gather to meet each other after Eid prayers on religious holidays such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. Marriage ceremonies among the tribes are of great importance. When a young man desires a girl, two representatives from the elders of his tribe send a marriage proposal to the girl’s tent, and if they reach an agreement, they make a covenant, which holds significant importance among the tribes.
Another notable tradition of the Shahsoon tribes that enriches their cultural heritage is the celebration of Yalda Night. They consume cold fruits, especially watermelons, believing they provide protection against the winter cold.
In the 1960s (in the Iranian calendar of 1340), the Shahsoon tribes considered themselves members of an “Il” (translated as tribal federation), consisting of 32 tribes. Each tribe was comprised of several sub-tribes, and the tribe leader was called the “Bozorg” (meaning the Great), while the leader of a sub-tribe was called the “Agha Aghil” (the wise elder). Each tribe was further divided into several “Obas” (tribal camps).
The terms “Il,” “tribe,” and “sub-tribe” had different meanings outside the hierarchical structure. Each Iranian tribe has its own way of life and unique customs, which are among the most attractive aspects of their social life. Ardabil province is home to multiple tribes and nomadic communities, with Shahsoon and Arasbaran tribes being the most prominent and cohesive, scattered across various regions of the province.
The Shahsoon Il, with its rich historical background and distinct social and cultural characteristics, is one of the important and well-known tribes in Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces. Its members are livestock breeders who utilize the lush pastures of Ardabil’s mountains. The Arasbaran nomads also reside in mountainous regions, with their main territory being the southwestern part of the Mughan Plain.
Shahsoon Shiites, who speak Azerbaijani Turkish, have had a nomadic lifestyle since ancient times and currently rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
From the 18th century onwards, there are relatively abundant documents regarding the history of the Shahsoon Il. However, the origins of the Shahsoon Il are still surrounded by ambiguities. It is believed that the Shahsoon Il is a collection of tribal groups that came together as a union during the 16th to 18th centuries. Currently, there are various narratives about the emergence and formation of the Shahsoon Il. However, the officially accepted narrative is that Shah Abbas I, from the beginning of his reign, had to deal with excessive demands from the Qizilbash nobles. To counter the rebellion of the Qizilbash tribes, he eliminated some of their leaders and created a tribe to confront them, naming it “Shahsoon,” meaning “friends of the king,” and asked all men of the tribe to register under this name. The Shah considered the members of this tribe as his loyal supporters and entrusted them with the protection of his dynasty. With his special support, he distinguished them from others and gave them superiority.
