Word: bakhtiaris
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Tulips flashed from the mile-high meadows in Iran's Zagros Mountains. Through Do Polan Pass, heading north as they had each spring for generations, a band of Bakhtiari tribesmen rode from winter pasturage in Shiraz and Khuzistan to summer fields in Isfahan province. In their ankle-length gowns and brimless felt hats, they nimbly crossed rock-strewn slopes, driving herds before them. At Do Polan summit the brazen, electronic voice of the 20th century met the ancient, changeless East. Four loudspeakers placed around a neat white tent blared at the tribesmen: "Stop...
...government team from Isfahan. "Who are you? What is all this about?" he asked. Beside his white tent, the government man explained: Isfahan province is annually plagued by smallpox; the government* was determined to halt its spread and annual flare-ups caused by unvaccinated nomads like the Bakhtiari. The tribesman was amazed that the great, remote world of big government could be interested in his health. At first he hesitated, but as the loudspeaker took up the refrain, "Better one small scar on your arm than a lot of pocks on your face," he relented. "Come and be vaccinated...
...heat of Iran's outlying districts, where there is no refrigeration). Next came the women, breaking Moslem tradition by letting men other than their kinfolk touch them. The children yelled at the prick of the vaccinators, but a rearguard of tribesmen pushed them ahead. Band after band of Bakhtiari gained the pass, and the vaccinators worked on. By day's end their score was 3,007 inoculations...
...wife, and the princess began a search that spread to Europe. A friend one day suggested an Iranian girl to the princess, followed it up by bringing along her photo. The girl was 19-year-old Soraya Esfandiari, the beautiful commoner daughter of a chief of the powerful Bakhtiari tribe. The Shah looked, said: "If Soraya is as good as her pictures, I'll take her." The princess met Soraya in Paris, sent back glowing reports. They were married in February...
Married. His Imperial Majesty, Mohamed Reza Pahlevi, 31, Shahinshah (King of Kings) of Iran, and Soraya Esfandiari, 18, Europe-schooled daughter of a chief of the proud Bakhtiari tribe by his German wife; in glittering Marmar Palace, Teheran, Iran. Wearing a Dior silver lamé gown with 6,000 diamonds, the bride rode to the simple ceremony in a gold-trimmed Rolls-Royce. The Shah ordered festivities limited to one day, food distributed to the poor. Among the wedding gifts: a $1,500 crystal bowl from Harry Truman, a mink coat (reported value: $150,000) from Joseph Stalin...