european travelers sometimes noted the absence of veil, free association with males (such as strangers and guests), and female rulers. vladimir minorsky has reported several cases of kurdish women running the affairs of their tribes. he met one of these female chiefs named lady adela in the region of halabja in 1913. she was known for saving the lives of many british army officers during world war i and was awarded the title of "khan-bahadur" by the british commander.