File 110/1917 'Arabia: Printed Correspondence.' [‎171v] (357/616)

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in so doing they would be obliged to employ the letters forming the word
“ Shaitan ^ or Devil. a
There are certain crimes for which the punishment is death by shooting
The first is cursing anybody and using the word Nallat (Curse). Usino* the
word Shaitan or any word rhyming with Shaitan, such as Sultan, Chaidan and
Churtan. They are also forbidden to use the word Shatt (a river) on account
of its partial resemblance to the word Shaitan. The use of the word Nal fa
horseshoe) and Nalbund (a blacksmith) are also prohibited on pain of death
because of their resemblance to the word Nallat.
Spitting, especially loudly, is looked upon as a most serious offence, as it
is believed that any one spitting is spitting on the Devil. Relieving nature in
a standing position is a very serious crime, everyone wishing to do so is
obliged to sit down.
Lettuces are particularly sacred, as the Devil is believed to inhabit them
and eating or touching a lettuce is also a captial otfence. Any one who even
pronounces the word Khas (a lettuce) is severely beaten or perhaps shot.
In ordinary times their only form of religious devotion consists of kissing
the collar of their shirts three times every morning. These shirts are cut
very low in the neck and no foreigner is allowed to wear one. If any one
tears another persons shirt he is shot.
Adultery with a foreigner is invariably punished by death to both parties,
but among themselves it is quite common and is not looked upon as a serious
offence. Some seven years ago a Muhammadan was detected committing
adultery with a Yezidi woman. He, how'ever, managed to escape, but the
woman was shot forthwith. Last year he again visited Sinjar ana on being
recognised w r as shot.
Murders result in blood-feuds, which can be arranged by payment.
Blood-feuds are very few especially in recent years.
Theft is looked up to, as a successful thief is a distinguished follower of
the Devil.
Saiyid Beg, the Cnief Priest, has a small brass bird which he puts up to
This is probably a misunderstanding of the auction every year among the Shaikhs
practice of sending itinerant Qawah bearing the *11
brass imag • of the sacred peacock among the -t 1)6 Dirtl USUally letches LI 500 IQ
scattered Yezidi communities. cash. The Shaikh who buys the brass
bird is permitted to make a tour of all the Yezidi territory twice a year.
All the villagers turn out enthusiastically and bow dowm to the bird and
make contributions to it, which contributions are kept by the Shaikh. If
the amount given is not considered sufficient, a pretence is made of consulting
the bird who declines to accept such a small amount, in which case the
amount is increased, even if a man has to give aw 7 ay all he possesses.
The family of Saiyid Beg, the Chief Priest are the only people permitted
to sleep on cotton mattresses j all other members of the tribe sleep on a kind
of felt rug. 1
Money is plentiful in Sinjar and gold is said to be in regular circulation.
18
Office Memo, from the Assistant Private Secretary to the Viceroy, No. 3063, dated Delhi, the
20th December 1917.
Ti ansferred to the Secretary to the Government of India in the Poreign
and Political Department.
No. 287-M. (2880), dated Cairo, the 15th November 1917.
From—His Excellency General Sir Keginald Wingate, G.C.B., G.C.V.O.,
K.C.M.G., D.S.O., His Britannic Majesty^s High Commissioner, Cairo,
, ^ 0 Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Delhi,
With reference to Your Excellency’s telegram* No. 898-S. of August
* Serial No. 181, Arabia Series, Fart VI. 20th, I have tile honour tO forward a
Hom S e Depan^ntj? Crilliual iutelli e euce (through photographic facsimilef of the Turk
J Oj a ghi letter referred to therein, together
with some notes prepared by the Arab Bureau.