THE following report, insomuch as it touches upon the life, language, and tribal history of the Kurds and the geographical features of the district, is the result of information gained during a stay of six months there. During this period the writer was disguised as a Persian for various reasons, mainly that of insuring easy access to every class of Kurd and unhampered passage through their country. In addition, the close intercourse, which alone confers familiarity with a people’s language, all of which were essential to the completion of knowledge of southern Kurdish, and the acquisition of several more dialects, which were my principal aims.<\/p>\n
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THE following report, insomuch as it touches upon the life, language, and tribal history of the Kurds and the geographical features of the district, is the result of information gained during a stay of six months there. During this period the writer was disguised as a Persian for various reasons, mainly that of insuring easy access to every class of Kurd and unhampered passage through their country. In addition, the close intercourse, which alone confers familiarity with a people’s language, all of which were essential to the completion of knowledge of southern Kurdish, and the acquisition of several more dialects, which were my principal aims.<\/p>\n
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The greater part of my stay in Kurdist\u0101n, was in Sulaim\u0101nia, but before settling there, I went to Halabja, where ‘Adela Kh\u0101num J\u0101f was staying, and being accepted at my own valuation of a Persian "mirza and merchant," was entertained by her, for some four weeks. During which I became acquainted with Othman Pasha, Mahmud Pasha, Tahir Beg and Majid Beg of the ruling families. In addition, I had nearly arranged to remain there as a writer of Persian to Uthman Pasha when the sudden arrival of an individual from Bi\u0101ra – a refugee from Sina of Persian Kurdist\u0101n, whom I had seen in Constantinople (Istanbul) and who was evilly disposed towards me, rendered (made) my departure advisable.<\/p>\n
I therefore, made a journey to Aor\u0101m\u0101n, Meriv\u0101n, and Panjwin, taking with me the small merchandize of the country as a reasonable excuse for making a tour. I also went into partnership with a Kurd of the Mukr\u0129 who taught me his language very completely besides assisting in the innumerable and harassing pettiness (small details) that go to make up the life of a trader in Kurdist\u0101n.<\/p>\n
During this tour, I made the acquaintance of the two chiefs of Turkish and Persian Aor\u0101m\u0101n – Ja’far Sultan and ‘Ali Sh\u0101h – and was involved in a fight between the latter and the Beg of Meriv\u0101n, with whom he is at feud. By a long detour, we came to Sulaim\u0101nia, where for a short time I stayed, to make an excursion to B\u0101na for gum tragacanth, coming back by Marga, Keui Sanj\u0101q and Sardasht to Sulaim\u0101nia. Here I settled, making friends with people of every class, including the Turkish officials.<\/p>\n
When, in August, I left Sulaim\u0101nia, I stayed one week at Kirk\u016bk – having passed through the deserted country of the Ham\u0101vand, where, some months before, I had stayed three days with their chief. In approaching Sulaim\u0101nia in the early spring, I had already stayed three weeks in Kirk\u016bk. From there I now went to Alt\u016bn Keupr\u0129, where I took raft down the lower Z\u0101b and so to the Tigris and to Baghdad.<\/p>\n
In the compilation of the historical matter relating to the frontier, I have consulted the treaties between Persia and Turkey, Lynch’s Armenia, Sir John Malcolm’s History, Curzon, and for the recent events (since 1907), notes made by myself when in Persia, and Tehr\u0101n newspapers of the time. Since then, 1909, I have been on the spot, and have confirmed the accuracy of notes and papers alike, besides gleaning more information. Tribal history (except for that of the Hasan\u0101nl\u016b) which was one of the objects of my visit, is compiled from my own notes and certain documents of which I was able to obtain a view in Halabja and Panjwin. When it was possible to check it, I have used the Gazetteer of Persia (Part III) for geographical matter outside the scope of the report, and for the Kirm\u0101nsh\u0101h province, the Kirm\u0101nsh\u0101h Gazetteer, which covers some ground mentioned in the frontier chapter. If the report is lacking in certain particulars it is because I went to Kurdist\u0101n with no ideas of writing a report; my sole object being linguistic, ethnological and historical information. I have to acknowledge the very kind assistance of Lieutenant A. T. Wilson, J.A. his Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Mohammerah who arranged the report in a coherent form, and assisted greatly in the correction of the typescript.<\/p>\n
MOHAMMARAH: The 4th June 1910, E.B.SOANE<\/a><\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n Report on The Sulaim\u0101nia District of Kurdist\u0101n (1910)<\/p>\n By E.B. Soane<\/p>\n