brass clasp over the trousers; and their chief ornaments are
small silver coins and beads attached to the hair, whilst those
of the rich ladies consist of gold or coral, sparingly used:
these last have a high pointed head-dress, which is no less
remarkable than that of the men, and is composed of a great
many coloured silk handkerchiefs. Household occupations,
spinning goats’ hair or wool, and making bags, carpets, &c.,
are the employments of the women. Out of doors their faces
are sometimes covered, but this is not the case within : they
are passionately fond of dancing and other amusements, which
they enjoy in common with the men ; and their fidelity shows
that they appreciate the confidence which is reposed in them.
The character given of the Kermanj of Assyria1 is very
different from that which is attributed to the Kurds of Asia
Minor, among whom theft and robbery, indifference to their
ill-understood religion, the absence of truth, and relentless
revenge, extensively prevail. These bad qualities seem to be
the natural result of their state of half independence, and of
the bloody feuds which are carried on amongst themselves ;
yet it cannot be denied that the Kurd has some redeeming
points: he is a good husband and father ; a faithful member
of the patriarchal community to which he belongs, and he is
ever ready to impart hospitality to strangers. He engages
frequently in athletic exercises, and he enjoys in a high degree
music, dancing,-with other amusements which are the usual
indications of a mild disposition.
The dress of the Yuruk,. and other Turkoman tribes, may
be said to hold a middle place between that of the Armenians
and of the people just mentioned ; the cloaks which they wear
are generally white,, and of rough home manufacture. But
the most remarkable portion of the dress is the red tarbush,
which is allowed to fall behind over the folds of a white
turban. The figure of the Turkoman is good and athletic,
but his countenance is not prepossessing, being broad and flat,
with sunken eyes ; his arms are—a lance, a sabre, and a short
gun or pistols: horse exercise, smoking, and tending their
flocks, are the sole occupations of the men.
1 P. 125.
The women do not cover their faces, nor do they stain the
skin. They are brunettes, and are generally ruddy, with
expressive countenances: their figures are good, and their persons
are cleanly, without being loaded with ornaments. They
have yellow boots, crimson trousers, and a white upper dress
of ample dimensions. Some wear a red tarbush, falling
towards the front instead of behind, as is the case with that of
the men, whilst others braid their black hair in tresses
beneath a band formed of Venetian sequins, or other gold
coins; and it is usual to have a ring through the left cartilage
of the nose. Besides culinary occupations, the women are
employed in spinning wool, and making carpets, bags, and tents.
The Turkomans came into Asia Minor towards the beginning
of the 12th century, and they may be said to belong to a
modern period compared with the Kurds, who are probably
the descendants of one of the ancient stocks; but the Turkomans
have greatly the advantage over the latter people in
quietness and simplicity of character. Nominally they are
followers of the Koran; but its precepts and tenets have
scarcely reached these wanderers, who are at the same time
nearly free from the crimes of theft and depredation.
That pride of birth to which the Kurds and others attach
such importance is almost unknown among them; and they
differ from easterns in general, in giving portions with their
daughters, instead of receiving a compensation on the occasion
of a marriage. Camels, goats, sheep, and oxen, constitute their
wealth : the last are used as beasts of burthen, on which they
place panniers to carry their families, and occasionally the
large double bags filled with grain,1 which, as well as their
arms and clothes, they purchase: the simple fare already mentioned
satisfies their truly primitive wants.
The sun-burnt and athletic Xebeque2 may be readily distinguished
from all the other inhabitants of the peninsula by his
sinewy bare legs, his showy vest, and towering, half-Turkish
half-Kurdish turban, with pendent silk fringes partly shading
a deeply-coloured manly countenance; but more especially by
1 See Plate V. * See Plate XT,TV.