History of the Lak Culture

Dated back to the Zand Dynasty that conquered most of central and southern Iran in the 18th century, the Lak culture is known to be a descendant of their mighty empire.  During the period of the Zand Dynasty, art flourished and trading posts were set up between Britain and Iran for the first time.  They lived along valleys and mountain sides.  Their known language was "Lakistani", also known as "Laki", a dialect of the Kurdish language.  They were known as fierce warriors and were feared by many when their dynasty began to take over central and southern Iran.  Their leader at the time was Karim Khan Zand.  The fall of their empire began in 1779 when Karim Zand died, leaving is territory open and vulnerable to other tribes.  They lasted until 1794 when most off them finally moved back to Luristan and started making their own family alliances and tribes after all land and power positions were disputed.  Some of their people remained in the mountains of southwestern Iran, these people making up the culture we know today as the Lak culture.