'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. I. 1918' [‎110] (119/568)

110
INHABITANTS
be brigands and murderers, are fine men in their way, especially
perhaps where the Iranian blood is purest or mixed only with good
Arab blood. It is remarkable that Englishmen who have travelled
in Kurdistan generally show a strong liking for the typical Kurd.
The other races of Mesopotamia are inclined to look down on him as
a stupid and dangerous animal; and the Kurd is often strangely
ready to admit his mental inferiority.
Yet the Kurd often shows considerable practical shrewdness. He
has not the subtlety and imagination of the Arab, but of the two he
is the more industrious and capable worker. In danger he is steadier
and cooler than the Arab ; he has a better physique (the Kurd is
generally of big-boned, muscular build ; the small, wiry Zazas form
a special type which hardly appears within our area). Altogether,
compared with the Arab, the Kurd has greater physical and mental
stamina. But he is also more callous than the Arab, and is extra
ordinarily reckless about taking human life. He is capable at times
of extreme brutality ; and of that and of his courage and simplicity
the Turkish Government has taken advantage. On the other hand
he is often jovial and good-humoured, hospitable, and in some ways
frank and loyal, though in war and brigandage he is little hampered
by scruples of good faith. The best Kurdish tribes treat their women
remarkably well, and respect them.
As fighters the Kurds are generally brave and determined. The
semi-nomadic Kurds are admirable horsemen, and it has been thought
that they might provide material for an excellent mounted infantry.
The Kurd has the makings of a good cultivator and a good work
man. He has generally neither the good nor the bad qualities that
are likely to make a successful trader.
In religion the Kurds of this area are mostly Sunnis, but there are
some Shiah tribes among them. (See Chapter VIII.)
Kurdish
Of the many Kurdish tribes or tribal groups within our area the
following are some of the more important:
(a) BetweenLuristan and the LineBitUs— —Jeslret-ihn- Omar
(The tribes in this section are arranged approximately in order
from south to north.)
Kalhur (3,000 horsemen ?). In Persian territory ; summer in
mountains NW. of Pusht-i-Kuh, winter in plains of Zohab and
Qasr-i-Shlrln. Mainly nomadic, but some sections are sedentary.
There are twelve divisions of Kalhur. A powerful tribe.