DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0110
94
TOORKMUN CUSTOMS.
CHAP. XV.
had scarcely noticed him : but here he was a noble,
and, what is greater, a patriarch. He had been
summoned ,by the Prince Royal, and now returned
to his home. For miles before reaching the camp,
the Toorkmuns crowded upon us to bid him wel-
come: all of them were on horseback—men, women,
and children ; and several of them cried as they
kissed his hand. At length, in a shady and pic-
turesque part of the valley, a party, which appeared
more respectable than the others, had dismounted
and drawn up. This was the family of the chief:
he leaped upon the ground with the enthusiasm Oi
a youth, rushed forward, and kissed in succession
four boys, who were his sons. The scene was pa-
thetic ; and the witty Persians, who had before been
imitating some of the actions and exclamations of
the Toorkmuns, were silenced by this fervent flow
of affection. Three of the boys were under ten
years of age, yet they mounted their horses with
spirit, and joined the cavalcade. There were no
bells to ring the peals of joy which this day pervaded
the Goklan Toorkmuns : nor were they required to
give more certain indication of their delight. A
party of their countrymen had returned in safety
from battle; the clan had gathered from every
quarter ; and, as they took up their position in the
rear, they gave to us who were indifferent spec-
tators, the cordial salutation of friends. The women
said, " Khoosh geldee !" (You are welcome !), and
crossed their hands on their breasts, as we passed
them, in token of sincerity ; I never witnessed a
scene of more universal joy. A horseman, more
TOORKMUN CUSTOMS.
CHAP. XV.
had scarcely noticed him : but here he was a noble,
and, what is greater, a patriarch. He had been
summoned ,by the Prince Royal, and now returned
to his home. For miles before reaching the camp,
the Toorkmuns crowded upon us to bid him wel-
come: all of them were on horseback—men, women,
and children ; and several of them cried as they
kissed his hand. At length, in a shady and pic-
turesque part of the valley, a party, which appeared
more respectable than the others, had dismounted
and drawn up. This was the family of the chief:
he leaped upon the ground with the enthusiasm Oi
a youth, rushed forward, and kissed in succession
four boys, who were his sons. The scene was pa-
thetic ; and the witty Persians, who had before been
imitating some of the actions and exclamations of
the Toorkmuns, were silenced by this fervent flow
of affection. Three of the boys were under ten
years of age, yet they mounted their horses with
spirit, and joined the cavalcade. There were no
bells to ring the peals of joy which this day pervaded
the Goklan Toorkmuns : nor were they required to
give more certain indication of their delight. A
party of their countrymen had returned in safety
from battle; the clan had gathered from every
quarter ; and, as they took up their position in the
rear, they gave to us who were indifferent spec-
tators, the cordial salutation of friends. The women
said, " Khoosh geldee !" (You are welcome !), and
crossed their hands on their breasts, as we passed
them, in token of sincerity ; I never witnessed a
scene of more universal joy. A horseman, more