The Opelousas courier., 1884-09-27
Ell MAMDPs ARABS.
Interesting Facts About Forty Ma1Aioms
0f Afrscav NOmaSs.

be between thirty and forty millions.
The Arab-and in this momencia-
ture, besides the natives Of Arabia
proper, all the inhabitants of the north
ern and half of the eastern portions OF
Africa are to he comprehended-is a
singular a Wild and ferocious'
like the savages of the far West, the
Arabs are endowed with q keener in
tellect and a highly nervous tempera
ment, a characteristic which has inn
pressed itself upon the Spanish nation
by reason CT contact. Unlike, howev.
er, the aborgines Of America, who are
stolid, content with hunting and the
qualification of their natural wants,
the Arabs are ever restless and aggres-
sive, and prey upon their fellow-be-
ings. Although very dark in COM
plexion they are not negroes; their
hair is coarse but smooth.
Their ~habitations are principally on
the borders of the streams, and in the
interior countries they sink wells,
where practicable, and cluster around
them, forming villages and towns,
their houses consisting Of mud walls
and matched, conical roofs.
Living in a state Of nature, their
wants are but few, consequently they
are not forced to extra exertion to
supply them. They live on the SIM
plest diet. Their staple food is darru,
millet, which they pulyerize and make
into bread. Dates and camels' milk
constitute the repast INDUCED by the
well-to-do among them. Their agri-
culture is therefore confined to the
raising of millet and a few other fari-
nacious articles, such as beans. back
la, or lupens, etc, in the most primi-
tive manner.
In a matter of raiment they are, ow-
ing to the nature of the climate, in a
state of almost complete nudity; only
a scarf being lightly wound around
their bodies. Their other occupations
consist in collecting ostrich feathers,
tusks of elephants, SIENNA and gum-ar-
rabic; the latter is indigenous to the
country. and is extracted from the
acacia arabica, a small tree which
forms vast forests in the hottest re-
gions Of Africa. All these sink, how
ever, into significance. compared with
the profits in slaves, in selling which
they are mainly engaged.
Egypt and Arabia provide markets
for the disposal of their productions,
as well as for the procurement of their
wants, which consist of tobacco. coffee,
arms and ammunition, cotton cloth
and knickknaeks. The former is reach
ed by the Nile, and the latter by the
way of souakim. a seaport on the Red
sea. As this last is difficult of access.
owing to the necessary land journey,
the Nile is preferred
They live in a state of barbaric in
dependence, under the control of petty
chiefs, called sheiks, who have assumed
supremacy oyer their respective COM
mands by virtue Of their religious
character and extra sanctity.
The introduction of Mohammedan-
ism among the children of the desert
did not contribute toward their moral
and social advancement. Indeed,
wherever Mohammedanism made its
appearance it has exercised a most per
nicious influence over its votaries,
more particularly among the Arabs.
It killed all tracer of civilization
among the ancient Egyptians for which
they were justly celebrated, and to
which the Greeks owed their progress.
But this religion suited Arab pro
clivities to a nicely; it was simple in
creed and ministered to their brutal
passions. Divine unity and belief in
Mohammed as the true apostle of God
were the only essential requirements
It encouraged polygamy and promised
seventy-two houris in the life to come,
Ii moreover preached aggression and
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, made it virtue to
war against unbalievers and upheld
the enslavement of captives. It moi
only legalized their Wonted vocation
but opened a regular market for th,
disposal of their chattels, wherevel
Islamism prevailed.
The peculiar construction of society
among the Mohammedans is such a
to render slave service indispensable
Every household naturally requires do
nestle service, both for personal at
tendance and mental duties. But Sc
clusion being one Of the requirement
of the Koran, Mohammedan Womel
are precluded from entering into sucl
service. because they would thereb.
come into contact with the male por
ton of a family, which, according t
their religious idea of propriety, is un
lawful. AS to men who are not nea
relatives, they are strictly exclude
frnm khn haranls or the anarfnnnnf