Luri

Luri, also called Lur, refers to an Iranian ethnic group native to western Iran. They are concentrated in Lorestan Province and surrounding areas, including parts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Khuzestan, Ilam, and Fars. The Lurs have long inhabited the Zagros Mountains and are one of Iran’s larger ethnic communities. Population estimates vary, but several million people identify as Luri or as part of Luri-speaking communities in Iran, with smaller diaspora populations abroad.

The Luri language is a Southwestern Iranian language with several dialects. The main divisions are Northern Luri and Southern Luri, and Bakhtiari is closely related and often treated as a distinct variety. Luri shows continuity with Persian and related Iranian languages, though mutual intelligibility with Persian varies by dialect. Many Luri also speak Persian fluently and use it in education and public life.

Historically, Lurs organized themselves into tribal and clan structures, with confederations among Bakhtiari groups playing a prominent role in regional affairs. Economic life traditionally combined pastoralism with agriculture; nomadic or semi-nomadic patterns persisted in some areas until recent decades. Luri culture includes distinct musical styles, oral literature, and traditional garments that vary by region. Most Lurs practice Shia Islam, while Sunni minorities are present in parts of western Iran.

Lorestan, the heartland of Luri-speaking communities, gives its name to the region and to the ethnolinguistic group. The Lurs are a long-standing component of Iran’s ethnic landscape, contributing to its linguistic and cultural diversity.