206 On the Yamud and Gokldn Tribes of Turkomania. 



settled there for a number of years by permission of the Teke 

 Turkomans, who never molest them. Here the fugitives alight 

 for a short time, to fetch breath, and snatch a momentary re- 

 pose : the Koi procure them food, and often fresh horses, to 

 continue their journey. 



The beacon which serves to guide the Goklans across the 

 dreary steppe is the snowy peak of Demarend (not more than 

 30 or 40 miles from Teheran), and yet seen at a great distance 

 in the desert of Khorazm. 



The Turkomans follow the creed of Mohammed, and are of 

 the Sunni persuasion, i.e.^ they recognise the four caliphs, his 

 immediate successors. Although not very scrupulous in follow- 

 ing the tenets of the Koran, they still have their Mullahs or 

 Cazi, the propounders of the law, who, at the same time, are 

 the civil judges of the tribe. These Cazi follow their course of 

 studies at the colleges at Khiva, but are seldom less ignorant 

 than the rest of their countrymen, although perhaps more crafty. 



Among the Turkoman tribes there are four distinct from 

 the rest, supposed to be descended from the four first caliphs. 

 They are equally respected by the Yamtids, the Goklans, the 

 Tekke, the Saltirs, and the Sariks, and are not touched by 

 those rival tribes. 



The names of these four families are the following : — The 

 Khoja, descendants of Ali ; the Atta, descendants of Omar ; 

 the Shikhs, descendants of Osman ; and the Makhtum-Kuli, 

 descendants of Abubekr. 



Some of these tribes have turned to account the advanta- 

 geous position they enjoy amid their countrymen ; and, under 

 the safe-guard of their sacred origin, have become merchants, 

 traversing with their caravans of camels in all the directions 

 of the desert — carrying goods to the different hostile tribes, 

 and receiving others in exchange, without fear of being plun- 

 dered or molested by any of them. 



In wishing to present here a sketch of the Turkoman 

 character, I regret that I can find but very few redeeming 

 qualities to palliate the evil propensities of their nature. 

 The Turkomans are said to be brave ; but I am inclined to 

 suspect that this notion arises from the circumstances of their 

 enemies being cowards. A Turkoman feels always reluctant 

 to expose himself to danger ; his warfare against the Persians 



