identification process of the Khalaj and Zand tribes

In this research, an attempt is made to investigate the identity of two ethnic groups, Khalaj and Zand, in the village of Venarch located in the city of Kohak. Although the Zand and Khalj tribes have coexisted with each other in the same village for about a century, they have had the least cultural interaction with each other.  The purpose of this article is to investigate the process of identifying two clans, Khalaj and Zand, two tribes that co-exist in the place of the same thing has not brought them closer together, but a geographical and cultural border has also been created between them.

In order to obtain results, in addition to theoretical studies and research background, qualitative methods, long-term presence in the field, interview and observation techniques have been used. A total of 30 interviews have been conducted with Khalaj and Zand people of different ages and generations. Data were collected and classified through interview analysis.

According to the findings of the research, it was found that both ethnic groups have special strategies to consolidate and stabilize their ethnic identity, therefore, in this article, according to the theories of Bricol, which is based on the identification process, and Barth, who proposed the demarcation of ethnic groups. , the identity elements of the Zand and Khalaj tribes have been identified.Conclusions of this research show that the Zand people are indebted to the Khalj people in terms of welfare services, education and cultural relations, and since the Zand people were not the original inhabitants of this village, they are on the periphery and the Khalj people are in the center. Therefore, the Zand tribe has entered into a "self-relational" strategy for the continuation of its identity; And through preserving the ethnic language and teaching it to the new generations, intra-group marriage and intensifying family relations, having children and increasing the population, unity and solidarity in any situation, it preserves and strengthens its ethnic identity. The strategy of increasing the population that was mentioned removes the Zand people from the minority and increases their power; Therefore, they put a lot of emphasis on it, but in contrast to the Khalaj people, they focus more on the place belonging to the village than on their ethnic identity, and they try not to create a sense of place belonging and place identity for the Zand people, and they always remain on the sidelines.  It is very important for them to prove to themselves and others that the whole village belongs to the Khalaj people. Therefore, the Khalij people strengthen their ethnic identity elements less than the Zand people, and only the location of the village is important to them. In fact, it can be said that since the presence of the Zand tribe has not yet been accepted by the Khalij tribe and they cannot belong to a place, they are more likely to strengthen their strong identity and strengthen their place identity in front of the Khalij tribe. keep their belonging to the village forever.