On the Yamud and Gokldn Tribes of Turkomania. 215 



about ; and notwithstanding the fatigues of the day's labour, 

 I generally found that whenever an enemy was prowling about 

 the camp at night, they were always the first, like the geese 

 of old Rome, to give the word of alarm. 



The Turkomans have a notion that they cannot shew a 

 greater degree of respect to their departed friends than by 

 burying them the moment they give up the ghost ; and it is 

 greatly to be feared that many an unfortunate victim is thus 

 prematurely hurried to the grave from this mistaken notion of 

 honouring the dead. 



On the spot, in the field where the corpse is washed, the 

 Turkomans raise a small barrow, and dig a ditch round it ; 

 from thence the dead body is carried to the burying ground of 

 the tribe on some elevated tepeh or artificial hillock, as there 

 are so many on the plains of the Turkomans since times imme- 

 morial. As soon as the sad news spread abroad, all the 

 relations and friends arrive from the different encampments 

 to condole with and offer consolation to the family of the 

 deceased. They bring their own tents and place them in 

 a circle round that of the mourners ; the women then go 

 by turns to weep with the family, especially such who have 

 gained some reputation in the art and manner of weeping 

 in the proper style. The men remain mostly out of doors ; 

 and, as on all occasions when they meet, whether at joyous 

 festivals or funeral ceremonies, riding is their great amuse- 

 ment, horse-races are usually resorted to. They remain, thus 

 carousing, for weeks together, at the expense of their host, 

 until the latter announces to his friends, that, thanks to 

 their endeavours, he (if it be a widower) or she (if a wi- 

 dow) feels consoled and resigned to his or her fate. This is a 

 signal for the party to break up their tents, and take their leave. 

 These condoling visits become very expensive to the poor sur- 

 vivors, who have often not only to weep for the loss of their 

 relative, but likewise that of being ruined into the bargain 

 by their considerate friends. It sometimes happens that rich 

 Turkomans, from a feeling of ostentation, retain their guests 

 for a whole month, feeding them with rice, mutton, cheese, 

 butter, milk, and such other produce of their flocks and herds, 

 in which their riches chiefly consist. Among the Yamuds, 



