Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-16
TIE BEDOUINS.

30 lar as the Bed0ulnS may be
said to have a country, they belong
to the deserts of Arabia, and especi-
ally to the plateau of Nediid, which
is their central place Of abode. But
even in ancient times they had
spread themselves over the desert
Of Egypt and Syria; and in latter
times after the decay of ancient
civilization, they entered Syria,
Mesopotamia, and Chalda. The
conquest of Northern Africa, in
the seventh century, opened up to
them still vaster tracks, and they
soon extended themselves over the
great desert TO the shores of the
Atlantic ocean. At present they
are to be found scattered over an
immense breadth of territory reach
ing from the western boundary Of
Persia to the Atlantic, and from
the mountains of Kurdistan to the
negro countries OF Soudan.
The very name of Bedouin, COM
ing from the Arabic word "Beda-
VII" signifies "dwellers in the des-
ert," and serves to distinguish the
nomadic Arabs from their settled
brethren. AS regards lineage they
are generally regarded, according
to tradition, as the descendants of
Ishmael and as the aborigines of
Arabia. The most ancient notes
found in the scriptures agree, in
their description Of the manner
and customs OF the Bedouins, with
the facts of the present time. AS
nomads they have no united his
tory, but only a collection of gene
alogies. They have but seldom APP
peared as a united people, taking
prominent part in the worlds poll
tics, and have never been entirely
held in subsection by any foreign
power.
The characteristics Of the Be-
douins as herdsmen and robbers oI
the desert are intimately connected
with the nature of their habitation
They dwell in tents upon an arid
soil, and plunder seems their only
resource. They are, however, very
courteous and polite, and their alb.
stinent, precarious and often solitary
mode of life makes them disposed
to exercise mutual hospitality. A
times they will divide their las
loaf with stranger, and it is {
bitter sarcasm for one tribe to us,
against another that "the men know
not how to give nor the women t
deny" On the other hand, thei
independence, love Of liberty ant
other good qualities are associated
with violent passions and an ahso
lutte love of plunder, which makeI
them utterly reckless Of the right
of property.
The Bedouins are generally vel
made, lean and sinewy, but, on ac
count of frequent hardships ant
: privations, commonly below middl,
stature. Their eyes and hair ar
dark, and the men allow the bear(
to grow to its full length. Thei
senses, especially the sight, are keel
and their carriage is free and indie
pendent. The nose is commonl
aquiline, the face rather lengthenel
and the eyes are well shaped, an
expressive Of both daring and Gun
ming. In complexion they hav
|, various shades Of brown.
With the exception of certai
tribes in Syria, all the Bedouins ar
professedly Mohammedans, but b
; 10 means strict in the obSeryanc
of their religious rites and duties
Their marabouts, a class of aScetio
take the place of priests, and eA
ercise considerable influence in a
! social and public affairs. The
n form a kind Of priestly order of
ciating at the mosques and chapel
y explaining the koran, providing I'll
faithful with amulets, prophesyins
and working miracles. These me
are looked up to with great aV
!, and reverence by the common pc,
|" pie, who also allow them a certai
vague license over their goods an
chattels.
10 As the Arabs have no settle
government or policy, religious tr