Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-11-08
PEOPLE OF KAFlRIsTAN.
Sir George Robertson's Description of an
 Almost Unknown Rnce

DIT Nfeofge Robertson $ official report on his visit to Kafiristan which will soon be published by order of the sec retarv of state for India. contains an interesting account of country and people in regard to which hardly any thing was known beyond vague sur mise and information derived from na- tive travellers, until he was enabled. at the risk of his life, to penetrate within it's outer walls. Speaking of the gen eral characteristics of the Kafirs. he writes:
 Civilization abruptly fell asleep centuries ago in katiristan, and is still dormant A conquering race may pro- gress in the arts and in civilization, as It progresses and excels in war-like skill. But not so an isolated people like the Kafrs. They have degener- ated until their tribal headquarters are merely robbers nests. In the va- rtous shifts and expedients to which they have been forced in order to pre- serve their freedom and their lives, ly- Ing. running away and underhand vices have been particularly servicea- ble. h their mode of warfare no spark of ehiyalry is possible The si- lent watcher, his face protruding from thielset, his wild eyes glancing swiftly and fearfully around, or the 1.-the form wriggling like snake along the ground to stab his sle eping enemy, man, woman or child-these are the pictures which arise in my mind when 1 think of Kafr braves; not because this illustrates the sole method of warfare employed, but be- cause continued intercourse with the people and observation of their silent, stealthy gait and shifty faces taught me what are the most popular ethods of attack
 Little parties of two or three will stealthily penetrate many miles into an enemy's country where they would be at once killed if caught. They will creep into forts and villages during the night, stab right and left, and then fly to their own hills with hue aud cry after them. In view of the inferior nature of their weapons they achieve wonders. The extreme difficulties which the country presents to an in- yader has, no doubt. much to do with their being able to maintain their in- dependence; but the chief reason, after all, is the gallantry. the reckless bray. cry and devotion with which the Kafirs defend themselves or carry any war into the enemy's country. Itis curious to notice the almost superstitious fear the Katirs have of rifles, feeling gem erated by ignorance On one occasion successful raiding party on it's way home was crowded round me on hill slope. There were about one hundred men present. To amuse them 1 opened the breech of my express rife. The instant l did so many of them dived down the hill side from abject fear of what was about to happen.
 "A Kafir parliament is strange sight. The elamer is wonderful. A dozen men, perhaps. try to speak at once; each has his own little group of listeners, whose attention, if it wan ders, he seeks to retain by loud ejacu- lation of 'ai, air or by little pokes in the ribs with his walking club. If some very exciting topic is being dis cussed, perhaps, all are takers and none are listeners: but, as rule, when one of the tribal orators begins to speak, he gets the attention of the greater part of the assembly, his efforts being helped by the shouted illustra- trations or further arguments by one or two of his admiring friends. Kafirs love to argue among themselves to de- eide on some definite line of action. Singly, they are often reasonable, but when they go off in mob to the dane- ing platform, or group themselves un- der tree and begin excited discus sions, it is practically impossible to foretell what they will decide. More over, the discussion arrived at on one day is quite likely to be rescinded on the next day, and reverted to on the third. But such occurrences are ex- ceptional, and only happen when the people Iaboring under strong excite ment on some subject, such us pros- pect of gain "-London Standard