Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-24
HE pOMAkS.
4 Curious aud Intercstin. People
VINO Dwell in Eastern WoumeIta.

Tie Paris lamps gives an interesting
description Of the POmaks. or MuSsumln
Inhabitants Of the territories OF iOuftchoS
and Kirdjali, in Eastern Roumcll, which
reverted 10 Turkey in accordance with the
arrangement come 10 on the 1t OF Febru-
Nv last between the Sublime Porte and the
bulgarian Government. The territories OF
Rouitchos and Kiadiali are both Of them
in The south OF Roumela; the former
being in the Rhodope Mountains, while
the latter. which lies more to the
,sst, and is by far the most inn
portant Of the two, is situated be-
tween tie river Arda. which forms
the southern boundary OF RoumeIa, the
Ulu-Derc, and the mountains OF Hi>Sardik-
Drgh, which aIe part OF the Rhodope cham.
The district OF ROuItchos contains sky
four villages, with population OF about
1900. the principal OF them beng Dele
klii, Belaban, llirsoya, and Nostinkeny.
The district OF Kirdiali comprises lSS vii
l:ges, with about $4,000 inhabitants, the
principal Of which are Kirdisli, Karaman;i,
Mersiler, karagucnchler, and AaSsanblba-
lar. There is, however, a dispute n TO
whether tWcnty-f0ur Of these villages
should belong 90 Turkey or Bulgaria, and
fEcy are in the mean while held by
the l.tter. The inhabitlnts OF these
TWO districts are all Nu-Sulmfn PomlsS:
those Pomaks being descendants OF the
Eulparians. who, Ike the Seryian BegS. the
Albanian Arnaut., and Greek Nanaqdes,
embraced the M0haumcdan faith at the
tine Of the Ottoman conquest or soon after
I'm order to retain possession Of thar llnd-.
These Pomaks, though living in nearly q
savage state, are for The most part OF very
1 / "a a
mountains, they live mainly by agriculture
and by The manufacture OF charcoal from
the forests which cover the sides Of the
mountains. The Pomaks furnish the best
areiadjis. or wagoncTs. and the transport
81 goods between Macedonia and R)Elelil
+, entirely IN their hands. The POmlks
q Kirdial are much better or than tho E
~ roulici6s, a. their territory i cNtra0r-
dInalily fertile, and, being irrigated by W.
rious streams, the valleys and mountain
.loJcs IfOducc an endless variety OF fruits.
Grapes grow in abundance. and these are
dried a. raisin., for the P0naks do not
drink wine. Peaches. lpricOi., pears, APP
pies, and nuts are very plentiful, and
the quality Of the tobacco grown in this
district j, very good The Pomaks have
preserved some very curious religious pTlc'
belong 10 the Mahomcdln faith, they Look
upon the Bulgarian priests Is maZicilp'
possessing great power. When i'll they nl-
ways 90 to them for advice, AMI do not
hesitate to recite the prayers to the Virgin
which tie priests instruct them DO Offer.
When there Il severe drought they take a
maiden from one Of the villages, cover her
over with palms. and pour water over her,
chanting in Bulgarian appeals t. the
clcmercy Of the diyinities in whom
their ancestors belicved-thc compan-
ions in arms Of ASparuk, Kroum,
end Boris. The Rolii.c,ijs P0Dlas
have never paid any taxes either t. the
Ottoman or to the Bulgarian authorities,
and If tax-colcctor ever applied TO them
for payment they politely requested bin 10
return to the place whence he came, while
in the event OF his refusing they shot HIM
Two collectors and posse OF Roumelun
gendermCs were killed IN this way so tina,
will perhaps explain the readiness Of the
Bulgar!aus 10 make over these distri rs TO
Turkey after the ServO.Bulgarian war last
inter.