Fars region is the land of original Persians. It is a large region located at the southern end of the Iranian plateau. It was the heart of the Achaemenid Empire and an important section of the Sassanian kingdom and indeed it has always been one of the most important regions of Iran through out its history. During the reign of Karim Khan Zand Shiraz was the capital of Iran. Consequently with such rich history comes a very rich culture and art. Two of Iran’s most famous poets Hafiz and Saadi are from Shiraz
Many of the tribal weavers of iran are Turkic but the Lori are ethnically Persian and represent some of the purest Persian weaving. They are related to the Lors of Loristan and to the Bakhtiaris. The Lors have two main branches, Boir Ahmads and Mamassanis. They migrated or forced to migrate to the province six centuries ago. It was common practice by the Shahs to move the tribes to the borders for strategic reasons.
The Mamassani and Hulagu, they are both Lori tribes and mainly settled. Rice cultivation is their principal source of livelihood. Only a small part of them move up, with their flocks, into the hills. The Mamassani inhabit a series of beautiful and fertile valleys situated about 70 miles northwest of Shiraz, through which Alexander passed on his famous march from Susa to Persepolis. The Hulagu are not strictly a tribe of Fars, as they live partly in the adjoining province of Khozistan and depend administratively on the government of Behbahan.
Their rugs are usually made from soft lustrous wool. The use of goats hair in the selvedge and foundations is common place.
