'Reconnaissances in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, North-West Persia, and Luristan from April to October 1888. By Lt F R Maunsell, Intelligence Branch. In Two Volumes. Volume I: narrative report, description of larger towns and routes leading from them. Simla: Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Dept, 1890' [‎112v] (229/312)

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At Clietmstium Siki we met a party of men sent from Shernakh to (Ha 1
irrio-ation channels, &c., and it was intended to settle some of the poorer peopla
there. ^ ^
Round Shernakh the ground was certainly better and more carefully
cultivated than usual in other Kurdish villages.
The Agha is independent of Turkish authority, paying only a small tribute.
He is much respected by the people, and is said to be a very just man aud
not given to oppression.
A dispute was now going on between Muhammad Agha and the Turkish
officials at Jazirah about taxes collected from the nomads at the bridge there.
M u ham mad Agha argues that the lands on which the nomads graze is his,
and that he should receive some tribute, whereas almost all the tribute is
taken from the Kochers when they pass the bridge at Jazirah. A Mutaserif
with a guard of 10 Zaptiyahs was camped here, having arrived to discuss
this question. Muhammad Agha expressed openly his hatred of the Turkish
officials and their ways, saying they were eating the life out of the country,
and it was scarcely to be wondered at that the Kurds occasionally retaliated*
aud robbed and plundered when they could.
Muhammad Agha could easily raise a force of 10,000 mounted men from
toe Hartoslu and other tribes under his control. A large number would he
fo.-nd armed with Martinis. They are naturally titled for outposts and
scouting work.
He sent a Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. and six armed men with one to point out the road to
Uashkala.
The Shernakh Dagh extends some 9 miles in a north-western direction
where it ends in the Chiraf Dagh, an isolated rocky peak overlooking the
Kohsur stream.
It extends south-east for about 6 miles, the Nurdush river rising' at
that end of it.
Climate. The avera g e fall of snow here was about 4 feet, and
’ the roads are closed from January to April usually.
The change of temperature and air at this elevation (4,650') compared with
Jazirah is very marked.
The air here is cool and fresh ; temperature 82° at noon and 69° at 6 a.m.
The dress of these mountain Kurds is characteristic. On their head is
a tail conical felt cap, which they call kiolos. Round this they wind a
puggri {alabi) consisting of two lengths of cotton, the second beino* called
azadoi. &
These are made of black cotton with red stripes as a rule, and are brought
from Aleppo. °
The sleeves of the shirt are open and almost touch the ground when they
walk. There is a inside waistcoat without sleeves {^yelek) and an outer one
with open hanging sleeves {tchapek), both of which are made of gay coloured
silks. & J
The handsomest and most remarkable part of the dress is the short pelisse
{lulu kiasarek) worn open in front with embroidered stripes of gold laee, aud
the back thickly covered with the finest hair of the black Angora goat. This
reaches tothe waist round, which is a kamarband of some bright coloured cloth,
in which is stuck a curved dagger with an ivory handle. A long curved sword
with carved hilt is generally worn with a very short sling under the left arm.
vv ide trousers (tchalvar) stuffed into a pair of enormous red boots with
green tassels reaching half way up the leg complete the Kurdish warrior's
less. It is a very suitable one for sudden change of temperature.