File 5655/1918 Pt 2 'Mesopotamia: Refugee Camp at Baqubah (1920 – papers)' [‎451r] (912/946)

1. INTRODUCTION.
Armenians under Turkish Rule were not given any privileges until 1860, when they were grant
ed a National Constitution to manage internal affairs, for example, Schools and Monasteries, and to
settle religious questions.
According to this National Constitution, they had a chamber of deputies in Constantinople,
under the presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. of the Patriarch, who acted as an intermediary between the nation and the
Sultan.
This assembly supervised any Armenian national institution in the Turkish Empire, and repre
sented any unsettled questions to the Government. Many Committees were appointed under this
assembly, religious, judicial, financial and political.
Besides these, each vilayat or Diocese had a prelate appointed by the Patriarch and elected
by the people, to manage Armenian institutions in that district.
The prelate again, had under him, a chamber of deputies from all quarters of his Diocese, with
committees as above, all being responsible to the prelate, who in turn was responsible to the cham
ber of disputes in Constantinople and to the Patriarch himself.
Schools were managed by a body of intellectual men appointed by the Prelate.
2. GOVERNMENT AND LAW.
History shows that in ancient times Armenians had an independent government under their
own kings. These kings appointed viceroys for every large district, who governed the people
after their own fashion and ideals, but still bearing allegiance to the royal power. Not unlike the
old Feudal System in the middle ages, these viceroys were often more powerful than the king him-,
self.
The Priests played a very important part in the Government life of Armenia, in ancient times,
as the peasants were very zealous towards religious matters. Sometimes, the power of a priest
outweighted that of the king. Now, circumstances have changed. As a new Armenian State is to
be organized the Armenians favour the idea of a Republic.
Under the monarchy they had their own laws which unfortunately, however, have in some dark
period of their history been lost or destroyed. On their conversion to Christianity the people were
tried by laws derived from the Gospel, as their chief judges were the Chief Priests.
3. CELEBRATIONS AND FEASTS.
These customs of the Armenians, throughout the whole of the nation are the same, and are
practised wherever Armenians are. Though influenced and modified by ruling powers, the majority
of the ancient customs have remained.
Eight days after the birth of a child, the latter is taken to the Church for Baptism, at the
conclusion of which, a celebration is held in the parents’ house in honour of the Godfather who is
allowed to invite any one. All guests, however, have to make presents to the baby. Much eating
and drinking takes place, and the entertainment continues until sunrise. When the baby is about
eight to ten months old, the parents call together all the children of the neighbourhood, along with
the Godfather and Godmother, in whose presence they pour on the baby’s head some grains (of
rice), which have been borrowed from seven different houses and boiled. The origin of this custom
is unknown amongst them.
When the parents think that it is time for their son to marry, they begin to look round for a
suitable girl in the neighbourhood. In the villages, the boys cannot choose then Aviyes, the parents
doing this for them. This custom does not prevail in the large towns. A suitable git l having been
discovered, they apply to her father for consent to the proposed marriage. The gitl hetself has no
right of choice.
Both parents having agreed, a day for the betrothal ceremony is fixed. On that day the boy
with his parents, the priest, his Godfather and Godmother, with some near relations all proceed to
the girl’s house, where they are greatly honoured and respected. Healths are drunk, and the girl is
introduced. She has now to offer to all present a cup of whatever is served. The Godfather then
puts on the table a ring, and any presents there might be. The priest at this point leads some
chapters from the Bible, whereupon betrothal is sanctioned. The Godfather or the priest takes the
ring and puts it on the finger of the girl.
It is only during the last few years that the boy and girl have begun to have a say in the matter
of choosing their future mate, but even then, the latter has to be represented by the parents.
4. MARRIAGES AND SONGS.
Some days after the betrothal ceremony, the marriage service proper, will take place This
however, cannot be held on a day of fasting. Ihe bride’s parents have to prepare every ring or
this service, and they are supposed to give her as much as they can in the way o c o res, ornamen s
etc.
On the appointed day, the priest, bridegroom, parents, relations, and all therr friends escort
the bride to the church. Here the actual service takes place, the P n e st readmg the marriage
service over the heads of the couple, who have to take an oath to the effect that they will ne ver
separate from one another, even in extreme misery or misfortunes. All the time the Godfather has
held a cross on their heads, and sometimes a sword meaning that nothing can sepaiate them, anc
that the cross or sword will defend them.
The service finished, a procession is formed to escort the newly married pair to their home.
This procession lasts many hours, because on the way they have to stop at each of their friends
house and take refreshment. On arrival home, a banquet takes place which lasts all night.