'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.' [‎552] (643/905)

552
TURKOMANS AND
[CHAP. XXI.
the ancient title of Malek or King, is readily distinguished
by its superior size; it forms the centre, around which those
of the different sections of the tribe are pitched, the tents of
each section encircling their immediate chiefs ; and in the case
of the Ryhanlu and some of the other Turkomans, the en
campment covers an extensive tract of country.
Dwellings and The Turkoman tent is clean, and having a division, it con-
Turkomarus.^ 16 tains two comfortable apartments. A large fire occupies the
centre of the outer apartment, or that of the men, around
which is the diwan; and during the intervals between the
meals, coffee is frequently handed to the guests in cups about
double the size of those used by the Turks and Arabs. Bur-
ghtil, rice, eggs, honey, dried fruits, cheese, bread, lebben, and
occasionally meat, constitute the ordinary fare of the Turko
mans; to which the richer add pilaus, stews, and rebabs.
The men have a well-formed athletic frame, with a taste for
bright and gaudy colours and showy arms. The women are
good looking, but much plainer in their attire than the men ;
they do not join the latter during the meals, but they freely enter
the men's apartment at other times, and converse with them
without covering the face. They are particularly industrious
in their household occupations, which include the manufacture
of tent cloth of goat's hair, large double bags of the same
material, and fine woollen carpets, which on the whole rival
those of eastern Persia; the blue, green, and red dyes of the
Turkomans being superior to those of Kirman and Yezd.
Agriculture About 45 years ago Haider Agha, one of the Ryhanlu
among them. i nc [ ucec [ some 0 f his tribe to follow the example of the
Kurds by becoming cultivators; and its advantages being per
ceived, agriculture gradually increased amongst the Turko
mans from that time. Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , as the best means of
encouraging this desirable spirit, intrusted local power to
certain chiefs, such as Achmet Bey of Murad Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , and
Muhammed Bey of Kilis. The former has adopted the
modern dress of the Sultan and Pashas, but he continues like
his ancestors to dwell in tents, keeping up something like
feudal state on the plain of 'Umk ; and the latter is established
in the town of Kilis, which he has made the seat of the