Russian Central Asia (Volume 1); Including Kuldja, Bokhara, Khiva and Merv (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1885. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIII. THE KIRGHESE {Concluded). Visit to Kirghese at Suigati.--Their tents.--A Kirghese memorial.-- Milk and other beverages, with flour food.--A mutton feast.-- Kirghese politeness, and right of precedence.--Connubial arrangements.--Myself questioning and questioned.--Kirghese poetry and songs.--Their religion: Muhammadan, Pagan, or Manichean? --Kirghese registered as Muhammadans.--New Testaments accepted.--Conversation upon the state after death.--Influence of the mullahs.--Kirghese election of judicial officers.--Native courts and fines.--Judgment and judges.--Election of a volost chief.-- Laws concerning assault.--A fight quelled. IEXPRESSED to the authorities in Semirechia my wish to visit a Kirghese aul, whereupon M. Troitzky, the Pomoshnik-uyezdi-nachalnik, or assistant chief of the Vierny district, kindly promised to further my wishes if I would meet him a day's journey in the wilderness at Suigati, where he was to hold a meeting of Kirghese representatives assembled to elect their bis or judges. On our arriving there the smiles of the post-master told us we were expected, and we made for M. Troitzky's tent. It was an unusually grand one, measuring 9 paces in diameter, with the roof supported by 120 rods. This the reader will better appreciate if I describe how a Kirghese tent is erected. I chanced in the Hi valley to see a woman begin to put up her tent, and so interested was I that I would not stir from the spot till, note-book in hand, I had witnessed the whole operation. The component parts of a kibitka are felt and matting, wherewith to cover a framework that consists of a lintel and side-posts for a door, and pieces of trellis-work, surmounted by poles fastened to a central corona. A piece of the trellis-work (called kiriga, as I took down...