'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III.' [‎58r] (120/982)

BAK-BAK
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but h-s attainments and curriculum are equally limited. Out
wardly and by descent the Ba'chtiaris are Muhammadans, but hold
very little to any of the outward forms of that faith. They are, never
theless, not without a crude and simple religion of their own ; and entertain
distinct notions of the existence of God and a future life. Their character
presents a strange combination of dignity and license—on the one hand
they are modest, self-conta : ned in deportment, obedient and hospitable,
loyal to family and tribal ties and generally free from any serious vices :
on the other hand, they are savage when excited, particularly in the pursuit
of their blood-feuds ; while, partaking in some degree in the characteristic
of the Lur, they are adroit and incurable thieves. Their general bearing
presehts a refreshing contrast to that of the urbane Persian. Smooth ras
cality finds ho place here, but in their character and mien is the free breath
of their native hills. Alike in costume and complexion, darkness is the pre
vailing hue of the external man. Their hair is black, with its two long
uncut tufts curled behind the ear ; black their bushy eyebrows and flashing
eyes beneath; black the beard and moustache ; black the crowning kula ;
black he coat of the male ; and blue-black the indigo-dyed cloak of the fe
male. Those of the men who are robust and muscular in appearance have a
very manly bearing : but, owing to exposure and privation, a large percen
tage present the very opposite aspect. Fever, assisted by dirt and neglect,
has ravaged their systems: and as a ru’e they are not long-lived. They wear
loose trousers and a long full skirted coat, either a qabd or sirdarl. Round
the waist a cartridge-belt that holds the ammunition for the rifle, usually
of the description of a Martini carbine, which is strung over the shoulder,,
while a dagger and pistol are carried in Ihe belt. The women are tall and
dark, of shapely limbs and carriage when in good health : but they suffer,
in this latter respect, more than the men. Absolutely neglected and despis
ed by their male sex, they exist under the fihhiest conditioiis : old women
before they are out of their teens and hags by the time the;y reach thirty
yea^s of age. Left to themselves and their own rude treatment, or more
properly, neglect, the simplest cases lead to loss of life or of limb. The
people generally are most ignorant of the simplest rudiments of hygiene ;
and their chiefs, until quite recently, have not been much concerned about
it. The disease, which perhaps wreaks most havoc among them, is that of
the eyes. Nearly every man, woman and child in Bakhtiari country is a
sufferer in this respect. Dirt and neglect are undoubtedly the chief causes,
assisted by the glare from the rocks or snow from which their head dress
affords no protection. Besides this,- the commonest affliction, which results ,
in loss of sight in a large number of cases, the commonest ailments from
which they suffer afe ague, pneumonia,- enteric and typhus.
Pasture is their chief Occupation, their flocks and herds being the principal
^ T . T , sources of their wealth. They have engaged very
r ufce an commerce. j n an y f 0 rm of commerce, beyond the sale of
their sheep until the acquisition in late years of the valuable property on the
banks of the Karun and in the plains about Bhushtar and Dizf ul. In these
luxurious plains they have engaged in extensive cultivation of wheat, barley
and tobacco; and as their annual assessment shows, they are taking a much
112 I. B. O