The Talysh are a nomadic people who live along the Caspian Sea in Iran and Azerbaijan.  They are primarily Shia Muslims, however, there are some communities of Sunni Talyshis.  The Talysh are primarily farmers, growing rice, wheat, barley, tea, citrus and other produce.  Other Talyshis, especially those who have opted to abandon the nomadic lifestyle, have become craftsmen, specializing in tin, shoes and jewelry.  Talysh women are also internationally known for making some of the finest Persian rugs.  Talyshis speak Talysh, an Indo-European language affiliated with Farsi.  While many women traditionally wore Muslim clothing, some Talysh have now adopted a more Western style of dress.  This trend is more common in Azerbaijan than in the Iranian provinces.  The Talysh are said to be descendents of the ancient Mada people, a group documented as early as the 1st millennium B.C.E.

The Talysh are very keen to maintain clan and tribal relationships, as well as strong social ties among family and village members.  In a class-stratified society, the khans were considered the feudal leaders and reserved the right to preside over certain conflicts within society.  The majority of civil and criminal matters, however, were decided by Sharia, or Islamic law.  While the peasant reforms of 1870 had a nominal impact on the Talysh social structure, the measures did set in motion a renewed desire for the continuance of religious rule and self-governance.[1] 

Demography

There are currently an estimated 912,000 Talysh speakers.[2]  Of the 912,000 Talyshis today, 112, 000 live in Iran.[3] 

Geographic distribution

Talyshis live in a diverse landscape, ranging from the forests of the Talysh Mountains to the subtropical area around the Caspian Sea.  Iranian Talyshis live primarily along the border with Turkmenistan in the provinces of Gilan, Golestan, as well as northern Khorasan. 

Historic Hardship

Historically, the Talysh have had a class-stratified society with khans and beks.  As with feudalism, there has been exploitation by those in power, who have often demanded rigorous work in exchange for very little compensation. 

Ongoing Hardship

Although little discrimination is projected towards Shias, Talysh residing in Iran face occasional discrimination when speaking out in favor of autonomy outside the authority of the Iranian government.[4] 

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