DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0448
Chap, xxiii.]
ANGORA GOATS.
415
over a stoop ridge of schistose rocks, from whence we
descended into a green valley, where we unexpectedly found
ourselves in the midst of a Kurdish encampment. Thanks to
Reschid Pacha, who had lately succeeded in putting down
the Kurdish tribes, who had revolted in their native country
of Kurdistan, we were not plundered. The Tatar's appear-
ance ensured our being treated with respect, but it did not
prevent the robber-shepherds from asking him who we were,
and whether we were rich. However, they civilly showed
us the right road, and we descended the valley to the S.S.W.
I admired the bold and independent manners of these roving
dwellers in tents, and the gay colours of their dresses. Their
tents appeared larger and longer, and more like regular
dwellings, than any I had yet seen, although equally made
of black goat's-hair cloth. Each is divided into two, the
outer part being intended for the men, one side of which
remains open all day, whilst the other is closed all round.
Many greyhounds were about the tents, all with body-clothes
made of a thick coarse felt, like those of the horses which
were picketed around. I also saw several young girls who
wore a small ring through one nostril, which, I was told,
signified that they were unmarried.
Leaving this retired spot, we ascended the ridge of hills
to the south, and, in a quarter of an hour, descended into
another deep valley, whence we regained the road which
we had missed. Several springs rise in this valley, which
form a small stream, down the banks of which we pursued
our way due west for nearly five miles, the valley gra-
dually widening and becoming more cultivated as we ad-
vanced. Here I saw, for the first time, a few of the
celebrated goats which produce the fine wool, or hair, which
is manufactured at Angora into all kinds of beautiful stuffs.
They were feeding together with the common goats; but
being more delicate, the last severe winter had been fatal
to many of them; and the wool, which is generally sold here
for twenty piastres the oke, was now much dearer. Soon
after twelve, we emerged from the valley into the broad
ANGORA GOATS.
415
over a stoop ridge of schistose rocks, from whence we
descended into a green valley, where we unexpectedly found
ourselves in the midst of a Kurdish encampment. Thanks to
Reschid Pacha, who had lately succeeded in putting down
the Kurdish tribes, who had revolted in their native country
of Kurdistan, we were not plundered. The Tatar's appear-
ance ensured our being treated with respect, but it did not
prevent the robber-shepherds from asking him who we were,
and whether we were rich. However, they civilly showed
us the right road, and we descended the valley to the S.S.W.
I admired the bold and independent manners of these roving
dwellers in tents, and the gay colours of their dresses. Their
tents appeared larger and longer, and more like regular
dwellings, than any I had yet seen, although equally made
of black goat's-hair cloth. Each is divided into two, the
outer part being intended for the men, one side of which
remains open all day, whilst the other is closed all round.
Many greyhounds were about the tents, all with body-clothes
made of a thick coarse felt, like those of the horses which
were picketed around. I also saw several young girls who
wore a small ring through one nostril, which, I was told,
signified that they were unmarried.
Leaving this retired spot, we ascended the ridge of hills
to the south, and, in a quarter of an hour, descended into
another deep valley, whence we regained the road which
we had missed. Several springs rise in this valley, which
form a small stream, down the banks of which we pursued
our way due west for nearly five miles, the valley gra-
dually widening and becoming more cultivated as we ad-
vanced. Here I saw, for the first time, a few of the
celebrated goats which produce the fine wool, or hair, which
is manufactured at Angora into all kinds of beautiful stuffs.
They were feeding together with the common goats; but
being more delicate, the last severe winter had been fatal
to many of them; and the wool, which is generally sold here
for twenty piastres the oke, was now much dearer. Soon
after twelve, we emerged from the valley into the broad