This is the summer habitation, and here all the members of the family reside. Enormous beams, resting on wooden pillars and on the walls, support the roof. The upper floor is constructed partly of stone and partly of wood, the whole side facing the south being open. There are no windows, as in the absence of glass, a luxury as yet unknown in Kurdistan, the cold would be very great during the winter, when the inhabitants are frequently snowed up for many days together. Light is admitted by the door, and by small holes in the wall. The lower part is of stone, and contains two or three rooms inhabited by the family and their cattle during the cold months. The houses are simple, and constructed so as to afford protection and comfort, during winter and summer. Each dwelling stands in the center of the land belonging to its owner consequently, the village occupies a much larger space than would otherwise be required, but has a cheerful and pleasing appearance. The houses of Asheetha are not built in a group, but are scattered over the valley like those of the Tiyari districts. I was surprised at the proofs of the industry and activity of the few surviving families, who had returned to the village, and had already brought a large portion of the land into cultivation. Water-courses, once carrying fertility to many gardens, were now empty and dry and the lands which they had irrigated were left naked and unsown. The pathways were still blocked up by the trunks of trees cut down by the Kurds. A solitary church had been built since the massacre the foundations of others was seen among the ruins. () Yakoub pointed out, as we went along, the former dwellings of wealthy inhabitants, and told me how and where they had been murdered. A few houses were rising from the charred heaps still the greater part of the sites were without owners, the whole family having perished. As I wandered, however, through the lanes, I found little but ruins. The trees and luxuriant crops had concealed the desolation of the place, and had given to Asheetha, from without, a flourishing appearance. On the morning following our arrival, I went with Yakoub Rais to visit the village. I determined, however, to remain a day in Asheetha, to rest our mules. #Dark and light taming kasha full#As his expedition was not to be undertaken before the close of Ramazan, there was full time to see the proscribed districts before the Kurds entered them. He was to march through Asheetha, and orders had already been sent to the inhabitants to collect provisions for his men. The district of Tkhoma, which had escaped the former massacre, was now the object of his fanatical vengeance. The village was in the greatest alarm at a threatened invasion from Beder Khan Bey. These preliminaries having been concluded, we had to satisfy all present as to the object, extent, and probable duration of our journey. Kasha Ghioorghis then read the letter aloud, and at its close, those present uttered a pious ejaculation for the welfare of their patriarch, and renewed their expressions of welcome to us. They afterward passed it to the principal men, who went through the same ceremony. I produced his letter, which the priests first kissed and placed to their foreheads. The first inquiries were after Mar Shamoun, the patriarch. There were provisions enough for the whole company. My workmen also brought large dishes of boiled garas swimming in butter. In the meanwhile the girls had disappeared but soon returned, each bearing a platter of fruit which they placed before me. As they entered the room, the hole assembly rose and lifting their turbans and caps reverentially from their heads, kissed the hand extended to them. The priests came too Kasha Ghioorghis, Kasha Hormuzd, and others. They were anxious to show their gratitude, and their zeal in my service. Among the men were many of my old workmen, who were distinguished from the rest of the inhabitants of Asheetha by their gay dresses and arms, the fruits of their () industry during the winter. As for my companion he was almost smothered in the embraces of the girls, nearly all of whom had been liberated from slavery after the great massacre, and had been supported in their distress by his brother for some months in Mosul. My hand was kissed by all, and I had to submit for some time to this tedious process. ) We had no sooner reached the house of Yakoub Rais, than a cry of "The bey is come," spread rapidly through the village, and I was surrounded by a crowd of men, women, and boys. Assyrian Historyġ840: The Attack on Tiyari and Tkhuma by Bedr Khan Beg 1840: The Attack on Tiyari and Tkhuma by Bedr Khan Beg Home | History | 1800-1899 A.D.
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