'Kurdistan and the Kurds' [‎34v] (68/122)

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May, 1918. In consequence of these events, hostility to the Turks lias
inclined them strongly in favour of the British, under whose protection
they are anxious to place themselves. They maintain friendly relations
with the neighbouring Arab tribes, and they have often sheltered fugitive
Christians from Turkish persecution in their mountain-fastnesses.
In physique,* says Sir Mark Sykes, the Yezidi resemble the Dersimli
Kurds, being small-boned, wiry, lean and hungry-looking men, with pinched
features, small hooked noses, pointed chins, broad shallow lower jaws,
narrow close-set black eyes and thin lips ; they twist their hair in six or
seven small braided plaits which hang down on either side of their faces.
Their dress consists of a pointed brown felt cap, a white shirt of cotton
cut square at the neck, without an opening at the front, a cloak of gazelle-
skin or light brown leather, sandals of raw hide and a leather belt.
The Yezidi occupy about 45 villages, most of which are built in almost
inaccessible spots in the mountains; they are a courageous and hospitable
people, industrious, and very abstemious, though still plunged in the
darkest depths of ignorance; for their religion, which is said to be devil-
worship, absolutely forbids the study of letters. It is, in fact, a survival of
of primitive superstitions, overlaid with elements of Judaism, of Islam,
and even of Christianity ; they hold the devil in great awe and are pro
hibited from mentioning his name. They pay great reverence to the fakirs,
who form a kind of religious order, and offer homage twice a year to idols;
this, together with some few trivial observances in regard to ritual, sums up
the whole of their religious duties. Their holy place is at the shrine of the
Sheikh ‘Adi, about 80 miles north-north-east of Mosul.
Though fond of women, they are not permitted to indulge in indis
criminate marriage, for a man, though he may marry more than one wife,
must choose a bride out of out of his own class; any breach of this rule is
severely punished.
They subsist almost entirely on what they themselves produce, namely,
wheat, barley, onions, lentils, and other vegetables; the only natural
products which they grow for export are figs and tobacco.
The present paramount chief of the tribe is Hamo Charo, who lives at
BaTdri; each sub-tribe has its own chief whose election must be confirmed
by the paramount chief. The most important sub-tribes are the Hasskane,
under the leadership of Amme, the Samoki under Ahmed Mudoo, the
Kirani under Halil Kassim, the Bakera under Daoud, the Teraji under
Husein Bayas, and the Manussi under Ashour.§
* Major Noel forms a very different estimate of the character of the Yezidi when
he says:—“ Near Derek we halted to drink coffee at the camp of some Yezidi tribes
men who extended to us a particularly warm and friendly welcome. Sir Mark Sykes
speaks of the Yezidi in a very disparaging manner (vide p.333 et seqq., “ The Caliph’s
Last Heritage ’), which is difficult to understand, as such as I have encountered have
seemed to me peculiarly affable and courteous. Sykes was, however, describing the
Yezidi in his own country, and it may well be that long residence among other peoples
has a beneficial effect upon him.”
§ The exact locality of each tribe is uncertain.