'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎319v] (643/982)

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LUR-LUR
effects, they were turned adrift to find their way back as best they could
to Khurramabad. The powerlessness of the Persian Government against
these lawless tribes is well-instanced by the fact that no efificient steps,
beyond a parade of a dummy army, were undertaken for their punishment.
It may be assumed, therefore, that the authority of the Persian Governor
outside the narrowest limits is merely nominal, and entirely dependent
on the good will of the chiefs. The only attempt at any local military force
was centred in what is called the Amrai regiihent. In earlier times the
Tihran and Dilfan tribes each supplied a regiment, but some 40 or 50
years ago they were amalgamated and the Amrai regiment was formed
composed as follows :—
400 men from the Tihran tribe.
300 men from the Dilfan tribe.
100 men from the Tulabi tr.be.
This regiment served in Luristan and once went to Tehran ; but in the
present day it exists merely in name. When the regiment was mobilized
its command was vested in the Governor of Tihran.
Life Habits and Religion of the Tribesmen .—Frcm the several allusions
made to their life and habits in the detailed description of the more impor
tant tribes, it may have been gathered that the life of the tribesmen is one
of general insecurity and anxiety. That they would be happy, if it were
otherwise, is questionable, but the effect on their temperament is distinctly
apparent. The chiefs in particular have an anxious and worn appearance,
and are constantly busied with the maturing of agreements, the pursuit of
intrigues and the excitement of hostilities, which are necessary for the
maintenance of the independence, not to say existence, of their tribes. The
tribesmen themselves, while absolved from the burden of the arrangement
of these schemes, are the means by which they are carried into effect ;
and their life is, therefore, in the case of some of the tribes, a constant re
petition of forays and raids, thieving and broken bonds. No better general
description of a Lur can be given than that he is an adroit and incurable
thief.
Another unpleasant characteristic of the Lur is the utter absence of
cleanliness. This is one of the chief complaints of the Persian officials who
have to dwell amongst them. For instance, it is said that in the whole
district of Alishtar there is only one hammdm ; and that one is built by a
chief for his own private use.
A fat or stout man or woman is rarely seen, while their figures are wiry
and well knit to endure fatigue. The prevailing diseases appear to be
indigestion, rheumatism, malaria, liver and spleen, due to scanty clothing,
sleeping on the ground and exposure. The women wear loose, shapeless
dresses, affording no warmth, with little or no underclothing. The clothing
of the children is of like character, affording no protection against the cold
to the chief internal organ. Most of the offices of labour are performed
by the women : they tend the flocks, till the fields, store the grain, and tread
out that which is required for use. The men content themselves with sow
ing and reaping, cutting wood for charcoal, and defending their property
against the attacks of others.
The religion of the Lurs is that which is common to most parts of Persia,
namely, Shi’ah Muhammadanism; the sect known as 'Ali Illahi is confined