branch, the Leki, the Kirménshéh, the Kethuri, the;
Gurani, and the1 Lori dialects. The tribes who speak these
last dialects are known to us through the. accounts of Rich
and Other later travellers. The language of a Kurdish peasant
at Senna, who recited a national song, was quite unintelligible
to the Suleïm&niyeh Kürds who accompanied Mr.
Rich. The English traveller .thought the idiomsof these
people very different. The dialect-Of the Guran more nearly
resembles the Persian; the Clansmen, on the contrary,
speak the High-Kdrdish, a purer idiom.
Paragraph 4.—Physical Character and Habits of the ~
Kfirds.
The missionary Hoernle, who lived much amongst the
Kürds, though chiefly in the north-western districts, on and
beyond the lake Urumlyeh, describes them as very strongs
broad-shouldered, with dark complexions* black hair, large
mouths, small eyes with a very wild expression. Sometimes
he remarked countenances which bespoke a better character
and inspired more confidence.
The structure of their bodies is remarkably regular, and-
their, whole appearance makes nó?unpleasing impression.
Their uncommon exertions and hardships* froftUtbeir youth
upwards, do not prevent them from attaining an advanced
age. They often reach one hundred years* in the full possession
of their mental and physical powers.-
At the feast of the Ramadan, Mr. Rich heard some
KUrdish peasants play on the Bitwar, or KUrdish flute,
made of reeds, their monotonous and melancholy sOngs, in
a pleasing and soft tone.#
* The best song was called Liilijan, or Leilidshan, that is, Leila. Another
begins with f* Az de nalim,” that is, “ Z vnll complain" Other Kdrdish national
songs begin with “ Men huzha benaz,” 0T (t Mil Tti jam," or r Azizi."
Some of these songs were very long, and-consisted of double verses, in the
style of the Persian poetry. The Kdrdish shepherd’s flute, Sherashal, is made
of wood, has a very loud, but by ho means an 'unpleasant, tone, and particularly
suited to echbes. They use peculiar tones for calling the sheep, which the
flocks perfectly understand, and gather themselves together j and in another
place Mr. Rich repeats the assurance, that the Kiirds are passionately fond of
The Kurds are less talkative and noisy amongst themselves
than the Rersians} on the other hand, they more often
break - out tatg ,a - rough loudtcry, particularly when they
Out. of „ doors1. Dancing is* a passion with them as well
as music, and particularly with|t|id^female,s. All the oriental
dances, according to Rich*, have the same'character,
and,are of .tl^big^t^gMla^pity. ..gelift KUrdish Tshopi, or
circular dance,Js only a variation of the Greek Sirto, or the
'Romaika, hut it bs> moire lively. He: saw it performed at a
inarriage feast,- with the wildest-and most noisy mtfsie of
?MrUl^’TandP'w^/?and amidst numerous Spectators. The
dancers clasped their hands in rows, swinging their bodies
'to and fro, and stamping with their f|et, and uttering wild
l^rieSy. The men first stepped out, and the Harlequin followed
them. Thens the women, adorned with silk dresses and
gold, buckles* and without ,-any oriental veiling, danced in
the circle with much-grace and beauty.
Mr,.,Rich-confirms Bo'ernle’s-) statement, that the people
attain an advanced age. Mr. Rich}declares that he has
|nbwhere<-seen so many finO^hale^d persons of both sexes,
as in Kurdistan ; and, notwithstanding the apparent disadvantages
of the climate,"the Kurds are, in general, a very
'Strong and healthy people. The children, ,too, are clear-
skinned and ruddy. A Bagdad child has a perfectly unwholesome
appearance, with swelled,',belly, yellow morbid
flesh, and moving -as if it; had the rickets. A Kurdish
child is a, hardy, light,. active, little creature : they Are all
remarkably well behaved.
. The difference of physiognomy between the clansman and
peasant Kurd is perfectly distinguishable. The latter has
a much softer and more regular countenance; the features
are sometimes quite Grecian. The tribesman is more what
is called a bard-featured man, with a thick prominent
forehead, abrupt lines, and eyes sunk in his bead, which
music, and have many wild and good national songs, as those before mentioned,
in which,, generally, there are chorusses. He-also heard parts of songs of
Ferhad and Shirin, which,,reminded him of,the Venetian songs of the gondoliers,
by Tasso. Others resembled very much, in their contents, the traditions
in the Shahnameh of Ferdusi.