The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-06-29
THE COMORO ISLES.
Picturesque Scenes in a Re"
mote Region OF This Earth.
The Islands, Their Inhabitants and Their
Ruler Described.

nne writing from 30 ann !, Comoro Is
lands, says: The Comoro Islands arc
four in number, lying in the Mozam-
biquc Channel, between Africa and the
northern end of Madagascar. The four
islands are the Angazlya, or Green Com
orc; Arijonan, or Johanna; Mayotte,
and Mohilla. Mayotte was coded to
France in 1s42. The other islands be-
long to Arabia. The inhabitants, about
80, 900, are principally Mohametans, but
fetichism prevails to some extent. The
people of Johanna find their principal
employment in connection with the ships
calling for provisions. The trade of
Comoro and Mohilla is &C the same char
actcr, but the islands are not so much
frcqucntcd as in former years.
Upon entering the harbor of Moosa-
noodo, the principal settlement of Jo-
hama, one is struck with the picturesque
beauty of the hills. From the anchor
age the town is also picturesque, with
its tall minarcts and it's two forts-onc
pcrched on a commanding hill and the
OCuCI uDOu Vic DCtCl itllOlS GllC SllOIC
houses. But the illusion is readily dis
PEELED upon reaching the shore. Tho
landing is upon a beach of rocks and
shells and through a considerable surf in
the calmest of weather. Along the shore
are strewn the washed clothes Of the
ships officers and crows; and a set of
vagabond-looking natives of all c~olors,
save that of the Caucasian, are lounging
about looking carelessly on, and present
ing a rcpulsive contrast to the Arabs.
The costumes of the latter arc decidedly
attractive; white robes with loose jack
cts, and sil1cn girdles about their waists
supporting cimetcrs, the scabbards and
hilts deliberately finished with gold and
silver. These cimetcrs are purchased at
Muscat, and costs from $50 to $s5Qeach.
The mems feet are encascd in sandals,
and large white turbans ad orn their
heads. Many of them speak English
with fuency, and French rs we'll.
The town is dilapidatcd and squalid
to the last degree; the houses of rough
stone, ccmcntcd and thatchcd; the
streets not more than five feet wide and
exceedingly crooked. The town is en-
circled by a stone wall, twenty feet in
height, with an entrance ut each corner
Of the Enclosure through n gateway
scarcely wide enough for two persons
to pass ut the same time. This wall was
built as a sort of defence against the pi-
rates, who were in the habit of visiting
the island and stealing everything from
the people, even to the slaves. Slavery
exists to n large extent, and the Sultan
of Johanna owns 700 beings, whom he
keeps principally to till his lands on the
east side Of the island. The other Arabs
also own plantations and slaves.
The inhabitants of the islands, a mix
ture of Arabs and negroes in great part,
arc intelligent and sprightly. Before the
Civil War in the United States they pur-
chased many cotton goods from the
American whalcrs, but their o%pportuni-
ties were disastrously interrupted by the
Confederate Cruiser Alabama. Since
then they have not Jared so well under
the expressions of the English, who,
they assert, care strong enough to in
tcrfere in everybody's affairs, and to
threaten us with the exercise of their
power if we bring over any more slaves
from the MAN,"
The highest parts of the islands are
denscly wooded, and the mountain sides
are so steep in some places that the tops
of some of the trees touch the trunke and
roots of Others. The language of the
island, a peculiar Arabic dialect, is soft
and pleasing to the car. Prince Abdal-
lah is perhaps one of the best educated
men in the Arabic territory. and I was
struck with the novelty Of the home, and
the extreme beauty of face and physical
build of this full-blooded Arab. He is q
tall, soldicr!y-looking man, with square
shoulders, we'll proportional limbs, olive
complexion, finely cut features, and q
black moustachc and black hair. I was
also surprised at the beauty of one of
his three wives, whom I Glanced to see
with her mask raised. The walls of his
house arc filed with small inches, recep-
taclcs for coffee cups, ornaments, etc.
Couchcs are ranged about the reception
and dining rooms, and floors are covered
with rich and heavy Turkish carpets and
rugs. A black houri was set to fan me,
! o-I ~ oro,vI of ohsJJron oo&h,rol about