Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-20
4 TURKOMAN VILLAGE.

white beard, an unusually large shakko
and very much soiled dressing gown.
He was conspicuous among the rest be-
cause OF a silver chain worn around
MS neck, from which a medal was sus-
pended and two other medals were
pinned to his breast Upon inquiry 1
found that he was the mayor of the
town or the chief of the tribe that
are the insignia OF his Office. He is re-
sponsibe to the Russian military COM
mander of that district for the good be-
havior OF all the families in that vii
lage and the encampment In that neigh
borhood. and this distinction was con-
ferred upon him because of his high
character and recognized wisdom.
Severe on Turkomen.
There is decided difference of opinion
as to the character Of the Turkoman,
but suppose there are good ones and bad
ones, just as there are differences among
all other of Gods creatures. and no
doubt the judgment pronounced upon
ored by personal experience. Gen. Alik-
hanoff. one of the Russian military COM
manders for several years, was very &C.
we're in his denunciation. He declared
that the Turkomen never keep prom
Use or an oath II its suits their purpose
to break it. In addition to this they are
liars and gluttons They are frightfully
envious and finally there is not people
so unattractive in any moral respect"
The reputation the Turkomen claim for
themselves may be illustrated by some
of their own proverbs:
The Turkoman needs neither the shade
of a tree nor the protection Of roof
When the sword has been drawn, no
Turkoman needs an excuse"
The Turkoman in war knows neither
father nor mother"
Where there is a city there are no
wolves; where there are Turkomen. there
is no peace
The Persians. who are not a fighting
and industry. are frightfully alarmed
whenever the Turkomen come near their
border, and in olden times. before the
Russian occupation, they suffered from
frequent raids. A story is told Of a
Persian who was attacked by Turkoman
two, he threw his assailant to the ground
and was about to cut his throat when
the Turkoman called out:
What are you going to do? Don't you
see that I am Turkoman?"
The Persian dropped his knife instantly
and started to rise from the body OF his
victim. The Turkoman. as soon as his
arms were free. seized the knife and
plunged it into the Persian's heart.
Brave, But Not Skillful.
In their fights with the Russians the
Turkomen have, shown marvellous brav-
cry, but no military skill, and IT is
acknowledged that on equal terms,
among semi-savages of their own class,
they are masters of the art Of war, re-
sembling the North American Indian
more than the eastern races, to which
they are related. And. while they have
no codes of morals or standards OF honor
to advertise, travellers who have passed
much time among them and people who
have employed their services testify to
their loyalty. hospitality and truth.
Turkomen are very proud, and 1t is said
that the poorest Of them will never ac-
cept charity or gift that he has not
servants explain that they must be
treated with great consideration in order
to get any work out of them. They will
follow. but will not be driven, and they
will do anything upon request. but moth
ing upon command
They are devoted to their women, al
though they are nothing but slaves and
SO treat them with great generosity.
They are the only Mohammedan women
who go without wells and mix freely with
men. They wear masses of silver few
elry, bracelets, anklets. necklaces and
breast plates and braid silver chains into
their hair. Their headdresses are usually
loaded with coins, and the more silver
woman carries upon her person the
greater her husbands reputation for
wealth.
Although the Turkomen are a nomadic