Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's GovernmentRichardson, James
History
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government
Richardson, James
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel; Richardson, James, 1806-1851
The great men, and indeed all those that can afford it, despise the
simple Kailouee costume, and indulge in all the rich dresses which are
so much liked by the Moors of the coast,--burnouses, shasheeahs,
turbans, veneeses, caftans, tobes of silk, &c.
The dress of the women whom we see about is a simple cotton tobe,
covering them from neck to heels. The colour of these tobes is generally
blue-black, dyed with indigo; some are glazed with gum. Many, however,
are white, and ornamented in front about the neck with silken
embroidery,--a costume which gives them a very chaste and elegant
appearance. Sometimes the tobes are variegated in colour, as are the
trousers; but the sombre, or pure white, are the most popular.
I have set down the Kailouee names for various articles of dress as well
as weapons:--
Green cloth cap Bakin zakee.
Turban, or bandage round the head and face Taghalmous.
Red or other caps Takabout.
Frock and shirt Teekatkat.
Trousers Eskarbaee.
Sandals Eghateema.
Dagger Azegheez.
Sword Alagh.
Spear Ebzaghdeer.
Shield Aghar.
Arrow Amour.
Bow Takanya.
Leathern bag for tobacco, pipe, needles,
thread, scissors, looking-glass, and other
small things,--nicknacks Elbes.
Charm Sheera.
I can scarcely yet venture to pronounce an opinion on the character of
the Kailouees. They decidedly differ from the Haghar and Azgher
Tuaricks, in being more civil and companionable. But they seem to have
acquired from Soudan the habit of petty thieving, from which the Haghars
are especially free.
CHAPTER XIX.
Rainstorm--Overtures from En-Noor--Another Interview--Aheer Fashions--A
great Lady--Hoisting the British Flag--A devoted Slave--Sultan of
Asoudee--Attack on a Caravan--Purposed Razzia--Desert News--Buying
Wives--A peculiar Salutation--Oasis of Janet--New Razzias--Costume of
the Sultan--The Milky Way--Noise at a Wedding--Unquiet Nights--Sickness
in the Encampment--A captive Scorpion--Nuptial Festivities--An insolent
Haghar--Prejudice about Christians--Movements in Aheer--Bullocks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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