Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-06


Much has been said of late concerning the
BedOuins and their share in the Anglo Egyptian
war. and yet no class of people is less known to
the outer world for the reason perhaps that
no other class so persistently keeps aloof from
civilization. When Asia and Africa were
joined by the Isthmus of Suez the Bedouins
roamed freely from Morocco through Algiers,
Tunis, TripOli, Egypt, Arabia and Syria often
trading on their way, besides keeping up
their fiocks. By the cutting of the land, how
ever, those who were In Syria and Arabia
became separated from their African friends.
The tribes, which had hitherto been united,
have been divided into two separate
bodies. one of which is now called Anadollou.
or Asiatic, and the other Myssirou, or
African. This separation of the BedOuins
has been of advantage to the Anadollou.
as the desert in Asia is Interspersed with
fertile spots. which are at no great distance
from the markets, where their horses sheep and
camels can be sold. 1t has been detrimental to
the Myssirlou who have been confined to one
enormous desert, with small GASES here and
there, and have always been obliged to defend
themselves against the attacks of wild tribes
inhabting the interior Of Africa. Many Of these
MyssrlOu tribes have confined themselves within
certain limits, where they breed high-cass
horses exclusively. These tribes are called
'Ahal Hader," or inhabitants Of fixed places.
while their roaming brethren are denominated
"Ahal Bedw," or jewellers Of unlimited space.
Very little can be said In favor of the latter class
OF BedOuns, as they are known to be blood
thirsty, cruel and cowardly, their chief occupa-
lions being robbery, cattle lifting and kidnap-
ping, or slaye-hunting. in which they excel
The only virtue they seem to possess is their
great love for their horses. The Ahal Hader
Bedouin however. although retaining much of
his savage nature. is noble, generous kind and
hOsptable, and WILL in many respects, serve as
good example to civilized nations
The Bedouin considers the desert his personal
| property. He says that the sun gave it to him
as legacy. ordering him to keep 1t intact and
| tree from intruding strangers He believes if he
fails TO do this that the sun will cease to shine
! on it, and 1t will be covered with water. For
this reason the Bedouins are very jealous of
| foreigners passing through the desert without
| their permission, and they will rob- and even
murder travellers who have not taken the pre-
caution TO provide themselves with a permit
from some Bedouin Sheik or Emeer. This per-
init is sometimes in the shape of body guard
which accompanies the travellers TO the next
tribe, and cOnfides them to another guard
which in turn does the same thing; or it is in
writing. bearing the seal of some chief. else it
Is ring, handkerchief. piece OF wood or
leather In any case. permission obtained from
one chief is sufficient to insure the traveller a
safe passage through the desert unless he
should be unfortunate enough to fall into the
hands of hostile tribes, of which there are few
VIII are Always at war WiCn the more peaceable
of their own kind The right of the BedOuin to
| the desert is acknowledged. they say, by the
Sultan Of Turkey and the khedive Of Egypt
who pay them an annual tribute for allowing
the caravan of holy camels to march over the
sand on its way to Mecca. The truth however
| Is that the holy caravan was so often robbed by
the BedOuins that the Turkish and Epyptian
rulers thought 1t policy to pay little black mail
rather than send large bodies Of troops to pro-
tect 1t. The great difficulty experienced by a
stranger is In obtaining the necessary perm,s-
sion. for this is not readily granted the Bedouin
| chiefs resorting to all kinds of subterfupe and
| very often TO deception. No experienced
Oriental traveller considers himself safe until he
has not only slept in the chiefs. but has
also smoked the narghilleh of friendship.
| broken bread and divided salt with him. tor
malities without whose observance no Bedoun
/ is to be relied upon. The friendship, however.
once obtained can be depended upon MANY
cases are known where Bedouins have risked
and sacrificed their lives in protecting or ayene-
| ing those to whom they have pledged them
| selves. The most recent instance is that Of the
| Emeer Abou-Said, who last year marched at the
head Of 1000 lances, from Nubia to TripOli, a
journey oftwO months where he fought and de-
stroyed the whole of the YZaney tribe, for hay
| Ing robbed q Caravan of Greek gentlemen. who
were collecting specimens Of natural history,
| and TO whom the Emeer AbOu-Said had granted
q pass. The most curious incident of this eXpe-
dition was that the Emeer had to pass through
| three tribes with which he was at war at the
| time, but they, knowing that he was bent on
defending Bedouin honor, not only allowed him
| TO cross their territory unmOlested but also en-.
| tertained him Hospitality.