The Godars are gypsies who migrated from India to Iran; they share the same heritage as the gypsies who moved into eastern and western Europe and into the Middle East. No one knows when or why the Godars arrived in Iran. Some believe that King Bahram Goor, who reigned in the fifth century, sent for a large number of Indian musicians to entertain his subjects. Another version suggests that the army of Nader Shah (ruler from 1736 to 1747) brought with it a group of Indian dancers, performers, musicians and prostitutes upon its return from a successful campaign.

The tribe speaks Chuleh, which is a combination of Sunscrit, Mazandarani, and Farsi. Their original religion, Animism, was based the belief that natural objects and phenomena possess souls. During the Islamic Revolution, they were forced to convert. They are now officially Shiate Muslims, but they do not practice the rituals of Islam.