2 Hints for Residents and Travellers in Persia
gais of Pars and Laristan in the south are of the same origin. They all
speak, not Persian, but a dialect of Turkish called Turki, except the
Turkomans, who have a dialect of their own. In the south, centre, and northeast
there are Arab tribes. The Hazaras and Timuris of north-east Khorassan are of
Mongol origin. The Baluch tribes of Persian Baluchistan and Seistan are of
mixed origin , but probably the Aryan type prevails. The geographical
distribution of the different races was, as a matter of fact, further
complicated by Shah Abbas, who transplanted colonies of certain tribes to
districts far from their homes, for defensive purposes; thus there are many
Kurds in Khorassan and there are Shahsavends in the Tehran district. Speaking
generally, the type of the town-dweller is Persian, and he talks Persian
(Farsi), except in Azerbaijan, where Turki is spoken. The tribespeople talk
dialects of Persian, Turki, corrupt Arabic and so on. Many of them are nomads
(2,000,000 it is said), some living entirely in tents, others during the winter
in houses, and migrating with their flocks to and from their summer
grazing-grounds. Again speaking generally, the Turkish type prevails throughout
the north, the Persian type in the south. Apart from the difference in
language, the former may he known by being more dour, slow-witted and fanatical
than the latter, but at the same time more solid.
The Persians are Mohammedans. The followers of the Prophet are split up into
two chief sects, the Shiah, to which the Persians belong; and the Sunni,
represented by the Turks. The Baluch tribes are, however, Sunnis, and so are
some of the Kurds on the Turkish frontier.
Besides the Mohammedan inhabitants there are 9,000 Parsis (Gabrs), the original
inhabitants of Persia; 45,000 Armenians; 25,000 Nestorians and 25,000
Jews. Further, it is impossible to be long in the country without hearing of
the new belief, whose first followers were called Babis and who are now known
as Bahais. It has made considerable progress, and must be reckoned a serious
competitor with
The Inhabitants and Climate of Persia 3
Islam. All these various creeds live nowadays in very fair amity; there
is everywhere a great deal of toleration shown except on the Turkish frontier
where the Kurds and Nestorians are generally at daggers drawn.
The greater part of the population is occupied in agricultural and allied
pursuits. The principal exports of Persia are: Wheat, barley, dried fruits,
rice, opium, tragacanth, silk, wool, cotton, lambskins, hides, sheeps
intestines, tobacco, carpets turquoises, and Pearls from the Persian Gulf.
In so brief a sketch of the inhabitants of Persia as this, anything like an
attempt at a detailed analysis of their national characteristics is to be
deprecated; the more so as in such matters everyone should form an opinion for
himself. Many Europeans, however, are prone to judge by what they see of the
official classes and of servants (the only Persians, perhaps, with whom they
come into contact); it is only fair to point out that this is not reasonable.
To the credit then of the Persian may it be submitted that he is intelligent,
hospitable and courteous; that he has a keen sense of humour and is devoted to
children, flowers and sport; that he knows his country's poetry and history to
a remarkable extent. The country people are industrious, hardy, frugal and, for
the most part, peaceably inclined. From our point of view, the Persian's love
of work is not manifest, and his business methods are leisurely and devious to
the point of vexation (what else can be expected in a country where tine is of
no account, and one hundred miles a day is express travelling?). The Persian
has the faults of Eastern nations and of his creed. Corruption is rife; truth
is a matter of convenience, but there are striking exceptions; take, for
instance, the honesty of the charwardar (muleteer), and hammal
(porter) classes. It is only fair, however, to remember that in questions
of morals, as in other matters, the point of view accounts for much. Many of
the Persian's bad points are the result of a system and of much misgovernment.
Revolution, civil war, mal-administration, epidemic disease--these have too
often caused