DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5542#0230
ClIAP. XLII1.]
DEEP WELLS.
219
or the yaila of Emir Kazeh, the village from whence they
came, about half a mile off. Although the wells here were
not yet dried up, the people complained of the fatigue
of drawing water from a depth of from twenty-five to thirty
fathoms: this agrees with Strabo's account of the scarcity
of water near Sabatra, or Soatra, a place of Lycaonia, to
the north of Iconium, where water was so scarce as to be
an article of sale.* In the country between Ak Serai and
Koniyeh the wells are three times the depth of those near
Koniyeh itself. In some villages, as was the case here, it
is usual to pay a man a hundred piastres per month, to
draw water for the use of the village.
Thursday, July 6.—We started from our encampment
soon after five, and in about three miles descended into
a wide valley, where were upwards of a hundred tents, the
chief station of the village. Here several springs rose from
under the rocks, and formed a small stream flowing west,
but which was soon dried up; such a spring, however,
is an invaluable property for a yaila. The inhabitants
of this village are Turcomans, of whom there are many in
this part of Asia Minor.
I have frequently found it a matter of great difficulty to
ascertain the real distinctions between the different Nomad
and half Nomad tribes who inhabit this country, and also in
what respects the real peasant differs from these migratory
races: the following characteristics are some of the most
general, although they comprise but a few of the features
by which they are distinguished. Doubtless there must
exist many others, and much more important, which can
only be learnt by dwelling amongst them, and understand-
ing their languages.
There are four distinct classes who live in the country,
and who are to be distinguished from one another :—1. The
common Turkish peasant. 2. The Turcoman. 3. The
Eunique. 4. The Kurd :—
* Strabo, lib. xii. loc. cit.
DEEP WELLS.
219
or the yaila of Emir Kazeh, the village from whence they
came, about half a mile off. Although the wells here were
not yet dried up, the people complained of the fatigue
of drawing water from a depth of from twenty-five to thirty
fathoms: this agrees with Strabo's account of the scarcity
of water near Sabatra, or Soatra, a place of Lycaonia, to
the north of Iconium, where water was so scarce as to be
an article of sale.* In the country between Ak Serai and
Koniyeh the wells are three times the depth of those near
Koniyeh itself. In some villages, as was the case here, it
is usual to pay a man a hundred piastres per month, to
draw water for the use of the village.
Thursday, July 6.—We started from our encampment
soon after five, and in about three miles descended into
a wide valley, where were upwards of a hundred tents, the
chief station of the village. Here several springs rose from
under the rocks, and formed a small stream flowing west,
but which was soon dried up; such a spring, however,
is an invaluable property for a yaila. The inhabitants
of this village are Turcomans, of whom there are many in
this part of Asia Minor.
I have frequently found it a matter of great difficulty to
ascertain the real distinctions between the different Nomad
and half Nomad tribes who inhabit this country, and also in
what respects the real peasant differs from these migratory
races: the following characteristics are some of the most
general, although they comprise but a few of the features
by which they are distinguished. Doubtless there must
exist many others, and much more important, which can
only be learnt by dwelling amongst them, and understand-
ing their languages.
There are four distinct classes who live in the country,
and who are to be distinguished from one another :—1. The
common Turkish peasant. 2. The Turcoman. 3. The
Eunique. 4. The Kurd :—
* Strabo, lib. xii. loc. cit.