FAMILY AND SOCIAL LIFE AMONG THE KIRGHIZ. 497 



case of large gatherings, is to stretch out the hands towards each 

 other and clasp them together. 



If the Kirghiz visit each other in their auls, another form has 

 to be gone through before the customary greeting takes place. 

 Within sight of the yurt the approaching visitors rein in their 

 horses, walk them for a little, and finally stand still. At this sign 

 some one comes to meet them from the aul, greets them, and con- 

 ducts them to the yurt, which the women have in the meantime 

 decorated by spreading out their most valuable rugs. Strangers 

 who are unknown in the aul must, before greeting, answer inquiries 

 as to their name, station, and whence they have come; but they are 

 received and hospitably treated in any case, for the Kirghiz shows 

 hospitality towards everyone, irrespective of station and religion, 

 though he always prefers distinguished guests. The guest enters 

 the yurt with the customary greeting, pulls off his shoes at the 

 door, but of course keeps on his soft riding-boots. If he is of equal 

 standing with his host, he sits down in the place of honour; but if 

 of humbler degree, he keeps modestly in the background, and lets 

 himself down on the rug in a kneeling posture. 



In honour of an esteemed guest the host orders a sheep to be 

 killed, but has it first brought to the yurt to be blessed by the 

 guest. At this sign all the neighbours assemble to take part in the 

 sumptuous feast. The head and breast of the sheep are roasted on 

 the spit, the rest of the flesh is cut into pieces and boiled in a 

 cauldron, and loin, ribs, shoulders, and haunches, whenever they are 

 cooked, are set before the guest in a vessel. The guest washes his 

 hands, cuts the flesh from the bones, dips it in the salt broth, and 

 says to the host, who has till then remained standing, " It is only 

 through the host that the meat gains flavour; sit down"; but the 

 host replies, " Thanks, thanks, but eat", and does not at once accept 

 the invitation of the guest. Thereupon the latter cuts a piece from 

 the ribs, calls the host to him, and puts it into his mouth; then 

 cutting a second piece, he lays it in a bowl and hands it j:o the 

 housewife. The host then sits down, but it is still the guest who 

 distributes the meat to the members of the company. He cuts it 

 into pieces of a convenient size for the mouth, mixes them with fat, 



(M70) 32 



