The record-union., 1891-01-18
Peculiar characteristics of the
Country.
LAKES AND RIVERS SLOWLY BUT
SURELY DRYING UP.
Two Distinct Races of People, Divided
into Numerous Branches-Peculiar
Characteristics of the People aud
thefr Customs.

What may be called Russian Turkestan
is spread of country about tone-twentieth
OF the Russian Empire between the Irish
and OXuS. A more varied surface does
not exist. Some of the highest mountains
of the Himalayas are there, as wen as
great plains, rich valleys, desert wastes
and marshy tracts. The climate is in har-
mony, the northern portion being often
SIS cold as Greenland, with the summers
in the southern as hot as the torrid zone
Drouth is an all-pervading feature. Such
Il thing rs rain in the warm months is
unknown, except in some Of the mount
ain districts, and as a result the lakes and
rivers are steadily drying up. Where
there were ponds and streams within the
memory of many of the people, there are
now only sandy beds, and hundreds of
spots attest the same course of nature IN
former centuries. The population is di-
vided into the Caucasian and Mongolian
races. The Caucasian has two branches,
the -Aryan and the Semitic, which latter
comprises Arabs and Jews. The Aryan
has also two branches, the iranians,
called Talks. and the Persians, Afghans,
HindooS and Gypsies. The Mongolian
race is divided into the KaZakS, Kara
Kirghese, Uzbegs, Turkomans, Tartars.
and the Kaimuks, Chinese, Sibos and
some others. The leading religious be-
lief is the Mchammcdan, then comes
Christianity, then the pagans and then
the Jews. The male sex is largely in the
majority, but why has never been ex-
planned.
The Kirghese, who frequent the plains,
are not only the most numerous of the
people OF Turkistan, but they wander
over the largest territory. They are di-
vided into the Little, Middle ard Great
Hordes, each Of which is sudivided into
races, the races into tribes, the tribes into
clans, and these into Guts, or groups of
tents, each living in independence. Their
number is estimated at 2.250.G0 They
are strong, clumsy, with slouching gait,
but bold riders. Their sight is so devel-
cped that they can sec small objects at
seven miles distance. In character the
kirghese is unsophisticated, honorable
and brave, until he sees the chance of
gain, and then he is prone to thieving
They are also revengeful. The men work
hard only when necessity presses, domes-
tic labors being invariably left to the
women. They prefer idleness To work,
and having food and raiiaent are per-
fectly content.
Their raiment resembles that OF other ma
tives of Central Asia. Those well of have
shirts, but the poor wear next the skin their
khdtdt, closely resembling loose dress
ing-gown, over which as many other like
garments are worn as theweather requires
Commonly the Ehdidt is of cotton or a
mixture OF cotton and silk, but for the
rich it is of silk of gaudy colors or velvet.
These garments for grandeeS are some
times embroidered with gold and silver;
others are of fur. Trousers, both for men
and women, are of buff or reddish leather
immensely wide and baggy, but found to
be so suitable to the climate that the
Turkistan soldiers wear them. The
shaven head of the Kirghese is first COW
cred by a skull cap called d tibetel, and
over this on certain occasions the men
wear tall steeple-crowned hats with brilns
turning up in two horns, made of felt or
velvet embroidered with gold. Theseare
for gala days. An equally striking hat
among the Adaef Kirgheseis hood-shaped
OF sheepskin. The flaps come down over
the shoulders, and although not pretty by
any means, it is splendid protection
from the wind and sand when riding over
the steppe on q camel. The dress of the
women closely resembles that OF the men,
except the under garment is like a night
shirt. Their heads are wound around
with cloth that is allowed to fall down
over the breast, making combination
turban and bib. AT the back falls veil
or shawl of silk.
Fifteen is the marriageable age, and
prelirninaries are commenced by the
parents of the bridegroom sending a dep
utation OF match makers to the parents of
the bride, Offering presents, and among
them dish specially prepared for the
occasion of liver and mutton fat, which
signifies that they mean matrimony.
After this the compliment is returned by
presents and similar dish sent by the
girls parents to those of the bridegroom.
The BRIDES father then summons meet
ing of kinsmen to consider the gross
amount N no maid for tho bri1o TIo
kahn may consist of forty, sixty or one
hundred sheep, or from nine to forty
seven head of cattle, besides which the
bridegroom has to give at least two pre-
sents of camels, horses, cows or firearms.
These things decided, the brides father
sends to the bridegrooms all for the
katins and one of the presents, after which
the bridegroom takes the other present
and goes to see the bride for the first time.
The delivery of his present virtually seals
the marriage contract, and he is SO firmly
betrothed that should he die before the
go home to his parents and be taken for
the wife of the next son. On the other
hand, if during the period of betrothal
the girl should die, her parents are bound
to give instead their next daughter, or in
default of one to return the kahn or pay
fine.
When the period of betrothal is at an
OAtat eiiS oAioSSAoobi ScCs W iiiC ttQi VI LIS
bride, who is given up by her parents,
with dOwery of tent, camel or riding
horse, cattle, and a brides head-dress,
besides bed, crockery and trunk of
wearing apparel. On the wedding night
the priest places the bride and bridegroom
in the midst of a tent, puts before them
covered cup OF water, and begins the
prayers. Then he asks the contracting
parties if it is with their full consent they
engage themselves to be married, and
three times gives them the water TO drink.
The completion of a marriage is followed
by feasting and games, and then the
newly married depart for the BRIDE
trousseau, and the portion of his wealth
which a father gives to each of his daugh-
ters on her marriage.
The Kara-Kirghese are essentially a
nation of shepherds and breeders of cattle,
They are not rich as their brethren in the
plains. Very few own as many as 1000
horses or 1900 sheep. Also, they have
fewer camels; but, on the other hand,
possess an excellent breed of oxen for
traversing the mountains. Their cows
are large, but do not yield much milk.
Yaks are kept by them instead. Their
cattle-b breeding claims far less labor than
agriculture, but is exposed to great risks.
For the support of a nomad family for a
year are required eleven head of large
and ten of small cattle, and to provide
hay for the wintereconsuinption even of
this number exceeds the working power
of one household.
When about to move to new spot the
women pack the tents and the men form
the cattle in droyes. The camp is ready
and starts before dawn, the women of the
family riding in front. After the oldest
come the other women, variously
mounted on the top of carpets. tea kettles
and tents, the whole being made to wear,
nc f-,r ae- - r..l L. r.
length of stage is from thirteen to seven
teen miles. and the AL trayerses about