150 Russian Mission from Orenbourg to Bokhara, [JtiLlf 



songs ; their impromptus were merely compliments, and did not deserve 

 to be remembered. 



These children of the desert have remained perfectly independent of 

 foreign manners or civilization, exeept in religion, which, it is perhaps 

 needless to observe, is the Mahomedan of Sunni sect. After having 

 seen the Kirghiz, a correct opinion may be formed of the nomade life — 

 highly prizing his liberty, and despising every thing that can impose a 

 restraint on his actions. Undaunted, warlike and ferocious, the Kirghiz, 

 on horseback and alone, fearlessly enters the desert, and traverses five 

 or six hundred verstes with the most astonishing rapidity, to see aparenfc 

 or friend in another tribe. In his journey, he stops at almost every oba 

 (camp) he meets, gives what news he may have, and is certain of a 

 kind reception every where, even when not known; he partakes of the 

 food of his host. This is generally krout (cheese known in Persia and 

 Afghanistan by the name of punneer), hairan (tyre of India) meat, and 

 when they have it, koumes, a drink prepared from mare's milk, and 

 much esteemed in the desert. He never forgets the appearance of the 

 c©untry through which he has passed, and returns to his own home 

 after some days stay, with abund nice of new stories, and enjoys himself 

 with his wife and children till some new object calls him away. The 

 women are his only servants ; they cook, make his clothes and saddle 

 his horse, whilst he, with the most perfect nonchalance, confines himself 

 to the care of his cattle, sheep and horses. We saw the brother of a 

 sultan, much respected among the Kirghiz, leading his sheep during 15 

 days, mounted on a good horse, and dressed in a red cloth cloak, 

 without considering it derogatory to his dignity. 



The Kirghiz are governed by elders, heads of families, begs, beha- 

 dirs, sultans and khans. 



The title of beg, properly speaking, is hereditary, but any person 

 who cannot support his situation by his talents, courage or conducr, 

 soon loses it ; whilst those who make themselves respected, obtain it 

 either from the habit people acquire of calling them saltan, or by an 

 assemblage of the tribe, who confer this honourable distinction. 



An elder is generally an old man, whom the people have been in the 

 habit of consulting ; he must be rich and have a numerous family — he 

 must possess these two requisites ; besides a solid sound judgment. 

 Whatever may be the moral character of a Kirghiz, if he is rich, he will 

 always have friends, and will be powerful according to the number of 

 his family. 



The behadirs among the Kirghiz, are more celebrated for their cou* 

 rage, of aii enterprising and clear judgment, and ac£ as partizans during 

 i war. 



