ETHNOLOGY OF THE PRESENT DAY. lYl 



at present, the Circassians having pushed them back to the mountains. 

 They became converted to Christianity by the Byzantine emperors. In 

 the eigliteenth century, however, they were reduced to subjection by the 

 Turks, and compelled to adopt Islamism. Subsequently, in the year 1771, 

 they revolted .against the Porte and returned to their ancient superstition, 

 which they preferred to newer doctrines. Piracies are frequently committc'l 

 by them ; their vessels, however, are mere rowing boats, and being without 

 cannon are not dangerous, at least to ships of war. In earlier times, many 

 young Abasians went to Egypt, and there sold themselves as slaves t;> 

 Mamelouks and to the princes of the country, in order, in this way, to mak(5 

 their fortunes, and by personal valor to obtain a distinguished military posi- 

 tion ; and many have actually succeeded in attaining these objects. The 

 Abasian women are handsome, and as much in demand for the Turkish harems 

 as the Circassians. 



Tlie Circassians inhabit Great and Little Kabardah, and the country 

 beyond the Kuban, as far as the Black Sea, call themselves Nobles, and were 

 known in the middle ages as Sikhs. Formerly they dwelt still further towards 

 the north, but have been pushed back by the Russians below the Terek and 

 Kuban Rivers. Those inhabiting Great and Little Kabardah are usually 

 called Kabardes, or Kabardines. 



The people are divided into five strictly defined classes. The class of 

 '• pshelv' comprehends the princes ; the second class, the ancient nobles, 

 who are called " icork''' in the language of the country ; the third class, the 

 freedmen of the princes and ancient nobles, who, however, remain bound 

 to serve in war under their late lords ; the fourth class is composed of the 

 freedmen of the new nobles ; and the fifth, of the serfs, '' tchokotl,"' who are 

 partly the property of the higher classes and partly of the country people. 

 The several branches of the princely families have again families under them, 

 and under the latter are peasants as hereditary property. The nobles together 

 with their serfs can pass over from one prince to another. In this manner 

 certain princes acquire ascendency over others. Nobles and princes are lords 

 of the serfs, even as far as life and death are concerned. Before Islamism 

 was established amongst the Circassians, the princes had, however, still greater 

 privileges than at present. 



Old age is held in high respect by the Circassians, and hence the most 

 aged of each class meet in council on important afiairs. There are neither 

 fixed places of administering justice nor written laws. Judgment is passed 

 according to old usages ; the meeting, at which the princes preside, arc 

 held in the forests, and at them almost all matters are iudjred. If the 

 family of a slain person do not demand the blood of the murderer, but are 

 willing to enter into a composition with him. the assembly assesses the fine 

 to be paid down by the slayer. The disturber of the public peace is also 

 fined in money, and thieves who are caught in the act are obliged to restore 

 many times the value of the stolen articles. Thefts accomplished with 

 adroitness, however, do not bring disgrace upon the perpetrator, but are 

 considered almost as meritorious as skilfully executed expeditions of war. 

 Hence all take pains to learn the art of stealing cleverly ; and the greatest- 



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