'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎113] (162/905)

CHAP. VI.]
THE YEZlDlS.
113
The other religion, that of a more numerous branch, the The Yezidis.
Yezidis, is, in some respects, like the Mendajaha, but with
the addition of the evil principle, the exalted doctor, who, as
an instrument of the divine will, is propitiated rather than
worshipped, as had been once supposed. The Yezidis reverence
Moses, Christ, and Muhammed, in addition to many of the
saints and prophets held in veneration both by Christians and
Moslems. They adore the sun, as symbolical of Christ, and
believe in an intermediate state after death. The Yezidis of
Sinjar do not practise circumcision, nor do they eat pork; but
they freely partake of the blood of other animals. Their
manners are simple, and their habits, both within and without,
remarkable for cleanliness. They are, besides, brave, hospit
able, sober, faithful, and, with the exception of the Muham-
medan, are inclined to tolerate other religions: they are,
however, lamentably deficient in every branch of education.
Polygamy is not permitted, and the tribes intermarry with
each other. The families of the father and sons live under
the same roof; and the patriarchal system is carried out still
further, each village being under its own hereditary chief. 1
Amongst these mountaineers, Mr. Forbes heard of the
practice of certain rites by their co-religionists, the most noble
of the Izedi tribes; whose chief temple is at Sheikh Adi, People of
eastward of the Tigris. Their temporal and spiritual head, sheikh Adl
Sheikh An, resides at Bagh-Idri, in Nav-kur; and their
churches are plain buildings, without peacocks, images, or
anything else to distinguish them, except the bitumen fires
of their annual festival: and it is now ascertained by Mr.
Aiiisworth that they are quite as simple in their manners and
conduct as the other Yezidis.
Another traveller says they have a high regard for Chris
tians, use baptism, make the sign of the cross, put off their
shoes at and kiss the threshold of a Christian church, believe
in one supreme God, and in Christ, in some sense, as a Sa
viour : their religion contains also a remnant of Sabianism. 2
1 Mr. Forbes* Visit to the Sinjar Hills, Vol. IX. Part III. pp. 424, 425,
&c., of the Royal Geographical Journal.
2 Dr. Asahel Grant's Lost Tribes, &c., p. 31. Murray, 1841.
VOL. I. Q