'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎588v] (1181/1278)

582
KCH—KtfH
The little valley of Dishmuk (6,500') is said to be under snow for several
months in winter, but the flimsy dwellings of the inhabitants, who live
there all the year round, indicate that the cold is not severe for long.
Resources.
Water. —The streams mentioned under Rivers are snow fed and sweet, but
there is no further information regarding water except along the routes {q.v.).
Supplies. —The Kuhgalu country is inhabited by probably not more than
10,000 familes, the majority of whom are pastoral, relying upon acorns
rather than corn, for their daily bread. There is no export of grain as far
as can be ascertained ; yet the country is well-watered and fertile, and could
support a population 20 times as great as it does at present. Little grain
is grown in the district, the crops only sufficing for the normal needs of the
population. The surplus for sale is thus small, and large caravans would
have difficulty in obtaining supplies : a reserve, at all events for horses, of
several days’ grain should therefore be carried. For mules, the excellent
grazing available will serve as a substitute for grain for the brief period
when none can be obtained (see tables).
It is well wooded, mainly with ballut (dwarf oak), but there are many
other trees, such as walnut, apricot, jujube, fig, etc., whose fruit, together
with the acorn, is a staple food for the tribesmen. Cypress trees, from which
large quantities of timber are cut, are found in the Tang-i-Sarvak : the
timber goes to Behbehan. A tea plant is found growing wild on the hill
slopes between the Kuh-i-Siah and Kuh-i-Safid, and is to some slight extent
used by the poorer of the local Lurs, who cannot afford, or who run out of
the more costly manufactured imported article.
Animals.—There are few horses, mules or donkeys, in the district. The
people are not really migratory, and do not need them, Their winter
quarters are in the valleys ; their summer camps in the hills, 6 miles or so off.
Mule breeding does not seem to be practised, though these animals are
frequently stolen from the Bakhtiari road. Bullocks are commonly in use
for local transport, but even these only suffice for actual requirements.
(See tables.)
Trade. —The principal exports are ghi, wool and country cloth, rope of
goat-hair, skins, and walnuts. In return, felt, cotton cloth, iron goods,
tea, sugar, etc., are purchased at Ramuz or Behbehan, as well as arms and
ammunition. Some trade, especially that of the Buir Ahmadi, goes to
Ardakan. The Bahmai deal mainly with Ramuz. This traffic, such as
it is, is carried on, not by the tribesmen themselves, but by agents, whose
general usefulness ensures the safety of their caravans wherever they may
go. Such men form the necessary link between the various hostile tribes
and the external markets.
Arts and Crafts. —The women of the tribe weave coarse woollen carpet 8
and gilims from wool produced by their own flocks, the dyes being obtained
from the trade marts mentioned above. Unfortunately, however, the
practice of using an admixture of aniline with fast dyes is on the increase,
to the detriment of the industry concerned. The women also weave coarse