In a new book, photographer Mahdi Ehsaei gives us a glimpse into the lives of those in Iran’s little known Afro-Iranian minority. Afro-Iranians are a group of people descended from traders and slaves brought from Africa in the 8th century. The region conducted these illegal transactions into the 19th century, though the group is mainly unknown in the Arab world.
Some of the photos showcase children, mostly at ease in their home and knowing no more about their surroundings than that it is familiar. Others include women dressed in traditional African garments, a sign Ehsaei mentioned as a way to keep their African heritage alive. It’s a fascinating glimpse into a group of people unknown to most members of the societies around them. [h/t beautifuldecay.com]