'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME II' [‎177v] (359/706)

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KIRMANSHAH
Mulea are bred by the Sinjabis, Kuliais, Kalhurs, in Kurdistan, and in
Harasam and near Kirmanshah. Some 2,000 to 3,000 mules are produced
yearly, in the province. All the mules are produced by mares.
A one-year old mule fetches from 30 to 50 tumdns. A good three-year
old mule costs from 70 to 80 tumdns ; although mules of that age are also
to be got for 55 tumdns, they are not then so well-developed. When three
to four years old, the mule is accustomed to carry loads of 20 maunds;
from four to five it carries from 35 to 40 maunds and when five,
50 to 60 maunds. The usual load is consequently 320 to 390 lbs.;
this load the mule carries a distance of 20 to 30 miles, day after day. The
lifetime of a mule is 20 to 30 years. Shoeing costs 3 krdns. The cost of a com
plete pack-saddle for a mule is 14 tumdns.
As a headquarters for mule purchase the town of Kirmanshah is well
situated as it commands two sources. The west and north-west where the
mule is of the SanjaVi str dn and Luristan. Within a radius of some 50 mik s
to the south-west of the city the largest breeders or dealers in mules are the
Kalhurs (q.v.) who have droves of mules between the ages of 18 and 36 months,
up to 500-600 animals. The Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. of the Kalhurs is probably the largest
owner of mules in Persia.
Riding donkeys, used by the mullas (priests) and merchants, are got
from Halleh, Baghdad, S Iraz, Yazd and Kirman, and fetch from 25 to
50 tumdns. The ordinary small black or grey donkey, kept by the
villagers and tribesmen, and supplying the means of transport for local
produce, is bred in the province and fetches from 10 to 25 tumdns. Every
village has from 10 to 50 of these donkeys. Shoeing costs 1 • 50 fcrans.
A kharvdr is said to be the load of three donkeys. The usual load is
consequently a 1 out 216 lbs. for a donkey.
No camels are bred in the province of Kirmanshah. From 2,000 to 3,000
camels come here every year from Isfahan, Qum, Yazd, and Kashan ; and carry
goods from here to Tehran or Isfahan, or return without loads. Arab camel-
men come from Baghdad and take loads to Hamadan, and occasionally some
direct to Tehran. They usually take no loads for the return journey, except
during the wool season. They also take grain to Turkey and sometimes, but
very rarely, a few cases of gum.
Cattle .—A certain number of cows and oxen are bred in the province, but
the Kirmanshah peasantry have, however, to import cows and oxen from
Luristan. The nomads, who use cows and oxen, not only to plough their
fields but also to carry their tents and belongings, seldom, if ever, part with
them. Beef in Kirmanshah is good. Oxen, which refuse to carry the yoke,
are given over to the slaughter house.
Herds of goats are to be found in the mountainous districts of Kirmanshah;
goats’ hair is used in the manufacture of tents. Goat-skins are either dried
for export to Baghdad and Marseilles, made up into coverings for gl~, or
turned into water skins or “ mashaks ”, of which every nomad family has at
least two or three.
Sheep are plentiful in the province of Kirmanshah, and form part of the
wealth of the nomads. Wool is exported in large quantities an d a considerable
amount of gh~ is produced; but Government usually prohibits the exportation
of gU to the interior of Persia. Permits could be obtained in 1902 by the