Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
seum displays clay, glass and metal artefacts found near Jiroft and Shahdad, while down-
stairs is an impressive array of musical instruments.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Gonbad-e Jabaliyeهیلبج دبنگ
At the edge of town is Gonbad-e Jabaliye (Mountain of Stone; admission US$0.40;
8am-6pm Tue-Sun) , an octagonal and very old structure of unknown provenance. Some
scholars date it to the 2nd century AD and think it may have been an observatory. Others
say it was a tomb. Whatever its function, it is remarkable because it is constructed of
stone rather than the usual brick; though the double-layered dome, added 150 years ago, is
brick. Today it houses a museum of old gravestones. Be careful not to photograph the
neighbouring army base.
To get here, take a shuttle taxi from Shohada Sq or a taxi dar baste .
BALUCHIS
Sistan va Baluchestan and, to a lesser extent, Kerman provinces are home to about 1.5 million Baluchis. They are
part of a much greater population whose traditional lands cross the Baluchestan desert deep into Afghanistan and
Pakistan, where Quetta is their regional capital. A significant minority are nomadic, living in tents and migrating in
pursuit of seasonal pastures. They speak Baluchi, a language related to Pashtu, and the majority are Sunni Muslims.
Baluchis are easily recognisable for their darker skin and distinctive clothing, with women wearing colourful at-
tire and men the shalwar kameez, a long loose shirt and baggy trousers. Baluchi arts, especially handiwork and em-
broidery, are also more similar to those found in Pakistan and India than elsewhere in Iran. Baluchis are famous for
camel races, though you'll be very lucky to find one.
Given they look, dress and worship differently to most Iranians, Baluchis are widely distrusted in the rest of the
country.
Tours
These guides can arrange tours within Kerman and to surrounding areas, including the
Kaluts, Mahan and Rayen. They charge similar prices. The Kerman Tour Guides Associ-
ation ( 223 2855; Caravanserai off Ganj Ali Khan Sq) has many more male and female
guides.
Jalal Mehdizadeh
GUIDE
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