Mikandi Explained

Official Name:Mikandi
Native Name:ميكندي
Settlement Type:village
Pushpin Map:Iran
Mapsize:150px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:East Azerbaijan
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Kaleybar
Subdivision Type3:Bakhsh
Subdivision Name3:Central
Subdivision Type4:Rural District
Subdivision Name4:Misheh Pareh
Population As Of:2006
Population Total:184
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone:IRST
Utc Offset:+3:30
Timezone Dst:IRDT
Utc Offset Dst:+4:30
Coordinates:38.8422°N 46.9056°W

Mikandi (Persian: ميكندي, also Romanized as Mīkandī; also known as Makīdī and Myakidi; in Armenian: Միքիդի) is a village in Misheh Pareh Rural District, in the Central District of Kaleybar County, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 184, in 32 families.

More than half of the population are members of Sarhangzadeh family who had the owned the village before the White Revolution (early 1960s). Due to the ubiquity of nobility, the phrase Landlord of MiKandi is a slang in parts of Arasbaran region, referring to class snobbery. According to the last headman of Mohammad Khanlus, Asadollah Mohammadkhanlu, some inhabitants belong to Mohammad Khanlu tribe.[1]

A patch of forest between Aghaweye and Oskolou includes hazelnut trees. In the past, this unique biosphere provided an important income source for inhabitants. A touristic camp has been built in a valley near Mikandi close to Aghaweye -- Oskolou road.

Historically, Makidi and the surrounding areas were owned by the Armenian Princely family of Meliq-Karagyozians, Lords of Makidi. Many of the Meliq-Karagyozians migrated to the Russian Empire and became entrepreneurs, inter alia owners of the Kapan copper mines.

Notes and References

  1. P. Oberling, “The Tribes of Qarāca Dāġ,” Oriens 17, 1964, p. 69