1841.] Manners and Habits of the Torhoman Tribes. 299 



hold duties, often have separate tents ; subject to them are female 

 slaves, who act under their orders ; they prepare the ordinary food 

 of the family, wash the linen, make up clothes for their husbands 

 and themselves ; churn and make the coagulated milk and cheese ; 

 bake the bread, and bring the water from the rivulet or fountain ; 

 they assist in erecting the tents, in laying down the nummud, and 

 cleaning the floor. They do not cover their faces with that scrupulo- 

 sity that is practised in Persia ; they do not hide their faces except 

 from newly-arrived strangers; their manners are free and uncon- 

 strained; their duties compel them to be much exposed to the climate. 

 They are fond of singing and sometimes dance, particularly at marri- 

 ages. I found them kind in supplying my wants; both the men 

 and the women are much given to pass their time in idleness and 

 listlessness, and require much excitement to rouse them to action. In 

 physical appearance the Torkomans are very muscular, large-bodied 

 men ; they have very thick short necks, enormous heads with a broad 

 front ; they have scanty beards which seldom exceed a few straggling 

 hairs upon the chin. In their manners they are rude ; in their eating 

 dirty and uncleanly ; their victuals are often imperfectly dressed by 

 fire; they are fond of animal food ; eat goat's flesh, and that of any 

 animal which they can obtain. 



These notes, (written in 1830,) were kindly placed at my disposal by Mr. 

 Stirling, and are the result of that gentleman's personal observations 

 during his travels in a part of Asia, little known in 1828. He has also 

 obliged me with papers on Bokhara and Kothan, which will appear in 

 their course. 



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