DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15174#0112
96
A TOORKMUN SYNC chap. xv.
vocation of agriculture. They want the affluence
and comfort which I have described among the
Toorkmuns of Shurukhs. The Yamood tribe, which
lies between them and the Caspian, has been also
subdued by Persia ; but the greater number of that
clan, which is said to amount to twenty thousand
families, enables them frequently to resist and
rebel. The Goklans, however, have no political
power. The Tuka Toorkmuns, which skirt, to the
north, both these tribes that I have named, maintain
their independence of Persia. The customs of the
Toorkmuns do not differ from those about Bokhara,
only that they more nearly resemble citizens. The
women conceal the face below the mouth ; though
I cannot say that the personal charms of those
whom I saw during our stay here would induce
even a forward youth to sue for a kiss, or a sight of
their ruby lips. Their dress more assimilates to
that of Persia than those of the desert.
In our travels from one tenement to another, I
met a man of about sixty years of age, who first at-
tracted my notice, by observing every one dismount
as he advanced, and proceed to kiss his hand; for
which he gave his blessing. This was a Syud of
the Toorkmuns. A Persian, who had observed my
watchful attention to what was passing, called out
to the aged man that I was an European: and we
were soon engaged in conversation. He held the
unpromising name of Mahommed Ghilich, or the
" Sword of Mahommed ;" but the universal respect
bestowed upon him had softened his manners ; and
age had mellowed his voice: his sentiments, too,
A TOORKMUN SYNC chap. xv.
vocation of agriculture. They want the affluence
and comfort which I have described among the
Toorkmuns of Shurukhs. The Yamood tribe, which
lies between them and the Caspian, has been also
subdued by Persia ; but the greater number of that
clan, which is said to amount to twenty thousand
families, enables them frequently to resist and
rebel. The Goklans, however, have no political
power. The Tuka Toorkmuns, which skirt, to the
north, both these tribes that I have named, maintain
their independence of Persia. The customs of the
Toorkmuns do not differ from those about Bokhara,
only that they more nearly resemble citizens. The
women conceal the face below the mouth ; though
I cannot say that the personal charms of those
whom I saw during our stay here would induce
even a forward youth to sue for a kiss, or a sight of
their ruby lips. Their dress more assimilates to
that of Persia than those of the desert.
In our travels from one tenement to another, I
met a man of about sixty years of age, who first at-
tracted my notice, by observing every one dismount
as he advanced, and proceed to kiss his hand; for
which he gave his blessing. This was a Syud of
the Toorkmuns. A Persian, who had observed my
watchful attention to what was passing, called out
to the aged man that I was an European: and we
were soon engaged in conversation. He held the
unpromising name of Mahommed Ghilich, or the
" Sword of Mahommed ;" but the universal respect
bestowed upon him had softened his manners ; and
age had mellowed his voice: his sentiments, too,