Kalhor (tribe)

The tribe is described as the most powerful tribe in the province of Kermanshah and the surrounding region, and also described as "one of the most ancient, if not the most ancient, of the tribes of Kurdistan". The Kalhoris were mentioned by Sharaf-al-Din Bedlisi in the late 16th century,[8] according to whom, the chiefs of the Kalhor claimed to be descended from Giv, the son of Goudarz (q.v.), a major hero in the Shahnameh[9]

Old books and traditions common among the Kalhor tribe prove the claim that the Kalhoris had an ancient and noble position in western Iran. During the Safavid era, the Kalhoris converted to Shia Islam from Sunni Islam, and participated in the invasion and conquest of Baghdad.[10]

The majority of Kalhoris are Shia Muslims, with some followers of Yarsanism.[11]

The Kalhor tribe resides in the areas of Kermanshah province, Ilam province, Lorestan province, Mandali, Khanaqin, Kordestan province, West Azerbaijan province.[12]

• Kayhan Kalhor
• Khanaqin
• Suramiri

General Baratov, Russian Cossack, at a meeting with British officers and the leaders of the Kalhor tribes in Kermanshah 1917