The Afshar tribeswomen
It
has been already stated, that the women of the tribes of Persia who dwell in
tents are seldom veiled: their usual occupations have also been described. They
are more respected than the females who dwell in cities, because they are more
useful to the community of which they form a part. They not only share the bed,
but the fatigues and dangers of their husbands: and the masculine habits which
they acquire do not displease, for they seem suited to their condition of life.
If they are not of high rank, they perform all the domestic and menial offices
of their own home: and strangers, who visit their houses and tents, are certain
to receive the kindest and most hospitable welcome from them. But there is
nothing in the manner of these women that can be mistaken: it is fearless, but
not forward; and evidently proceeds from the consciousness of security, not the
absence of shame. Though in general their complexion is dark and sun-burnt,
they have sometimes, when young, a considerable share of beauty: a sense of their
free condition gives luster to their eyes; and they often add to fine features
a very graceful form. But among the lower orders of this class, their beauty is
soon destroyed by hard labour, and continual exposure to the climate.
A
Persian gentleman1, remarkable for his polished manners and the
gayety of his disposition, described his entertainment by the females of one of
these tribes in a very natural and characteristic manner. “When I arrived,” he
observes, “at the village of Sennah*, which is inhabited by the
Turkish tribes of Khuzal and Affshar, I was invited to take up my abode in the
house of one of the chiefs of the latter, and received, while I staid, the
greatest attention from all his family. The ladies, who, according to custom,
were unveiled, were particularly kind. The daughter of my host, who was about
fifteen years of age, was more beautiful than I can express. When I said that I
was thirsty, she ran and brought me a cup of pure water. It was a draught from
the fountain of life, brought by an angel: but it increased, instead of
extinguishing the flame which her bright dark eyes had kindled in my breast.”
After describing the pain which it gave him to depart from this dwelling
without daring to show, even by a look, the nature of that passion which he
entertained for this young beauty, he very sensibly observes: ― “A vain and
uninformed man might have mistaken the manner of my fair cup-bearer; but I had
experience of these Eelliaat ladies, and well knew that nothing was meant but
that kindness and hospitality with which they treat all strangers who visit
their tents or houses. I believe,” he concludes, “they are virtuous beyond all
other women in Persia; and the man who should even attempt seduction, would be
sacrificed to the implacable honour of their male relations.” The habits of
these females fit them for the scenes to which they are occasionally exposed.
When riding near a small encampment of Affshar families, I expressed my doubts
to a Persian noble, who was with me, regarding their reputed boldness and
hardihood, and particularly of their skill in horsemanship. He immediately
called to a young woman of a handsome appearance, and asked her in Turkish if
she was not a soldier’s daughter” She said she was. “And you expect to be a
mother of soldiers,” was the next observation. She smiled. “Mount that horse,”
said he, pointing to one with a bridle, but without a saddle, “and show this
European envoy the difference between a girl of a tribe, and a citizen’s
daughter.” She instantly sprung upon the animal and, setting off at full speed,
did not stop till she had reached the summit of a small hill in the vicinity,
which was covered with loose stones: when there, she waved her hand over her
head, and then came down the hill at the same rate she had ascended. Nothing
could be more dangerous than the ground over which she galloped: but she
appeared quite fearless, and seemed delighted at having had an opportunity of
vindicating the females of her tribe from the reproach of being like the ladies
of cities.
1Mahomed Hussein Khan, son of the late Mehdi Aly Khan,
who was sent by the Government of Bombay on a mission to the Court of Persia in
A.D. 1798.
2This village is in Irak. The name is the same as that
of the capital of Ardelan.
Sir John Malcolm — The History of Persia, Vol. II
(1815)
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