Across ihc Roof of the World. 



On the head is worn a huge white scjuare-shaped turban, the hair 

 being plaited down the back at the end of which ornaments of 

 silver and copper depend. 



In religion the Kazaks are j\h)liammedan, and they shave the 

 head, as is the custom amongst the followers of the Prophet. The 

 language spoken is Turki, but varying somewhat from the dialect 

 of Kashgaria in the mode of pronunciation and other details, so 

 that usually some difficulty is experienced in first conversations 

 with them. 



The Kazak mode of salutation differs from tliat of other 

 Musulman races — who raise the hand to the forehead in token of 

 respect on meeting a stranger — in that they doff their caps and 

 make a low curtsy by bending the right knee, rather a graceful 

 way of greeting. 



In horsemanship the Kazaks excel, women as well as men, 

 and they manage their rough ponies with admirable skill. All the 

 ladies wear high-heeled boots, and acquit themselves on horse- 

 back with remarkable ability. They often exhibited their prowess, 

 and on one occasion a restive steed, the despair of Giyani, was 

 captured and readily subdued by a fair equestrienne. This par- 

 ticular girl was one of the best riders I saw, and she laughed 

 with great glee when the horse had been caught by her and 

 mastered. 



Pedestrianism is not popular amongst them, and they prefer 

 being mounted, where they are more at home than on foot, while 

 their high-heeled boots are eminently unsuitable for walking. 

 Moreover the Kazak can lay no claim to any of the attributes 

 constituting the ideal shikari, and from my experience of them 

 in this respect their room is preferable to their company. 



They devote much time to cattle breeding, the wealthier 

 possessing large herds of horses, sheep, goats and camels. Oxen 

 are also met with, but not to the same extent. The pasturage 

 found in the valleys of the Thian Shan is of the best, and as 

 there is an unlimited quantity of it sustenance is afforded to vast 

 herds. 



190 



