Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-09-11
THE COMORO ISLES.
Picturesque Scenes in q Re-
mote Region OF This Earth.
The Islands, Their Inhabitants and Their
Ruler Described

Il CbIItSeOIIcHt oI lAt INt" L Or Tto- |
aae writing from Johanna, Comoro Is
lands. says: The Comoro Islands are |
four in number, lying in the Mozam- |
biquc Channel between Africa and the
northern end Of Madagascar The four
islam Is ar the Angazlya, or Green Com
oro; Arijonan, or Johanna; Mayotte,
and Mohilla Mayotte was ceded to
France in 1912 The other islands be-
long to Arabia. The inhabitants, about
1000, are principally Mohamctans, 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 of the same char
actcr, but the islands are not SO much
frcquentcd 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
, It's tail minarets and its two forts-one
perched on commanding hill and the
other upon the beach among the shore
houses. But the illusion is readily dis
pcllcd upon reaching the shore. The
landing is upon a beach Of rocks and
shells and through a considerable surf in
the calmcst of weather. Along the shore
are strewn the washed clothes of the
ships officers and crews; and a set of
vagabond-looking natives of all colors,
save that Of the Caucasian, are lounging
about looking carelcssly on, and present
ing a repulsive contrast to the Arabs.
The costumes Of the latter are decidedly
attractive; white robes with loose jack
cts, and siken girdles about their waists
supporting cimeters the scabbards and
hilts elaborately finished with gold and
silver These cimeters are purchased at
Muscat, and costs from $50 to $3.50 each.
The mems feet are encased in sandals,
and large white turbans ad orn their
heads. Many Of them speak English
with fluency, and French as we'll
The town is dilapidated and squalid
to the last degree; the houses of rough
stone, ccmentcd and matched; the
streets not more than five feet wide and
exceedingly crooked. The town is en-
circled by stone wall, twenty feet in
height, with an entrance at each corner
of the inclosurc through gateway
scarcely wide enough for two persons
to pass at 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
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,
are intelligent and sprightly. Before the
Civil War in the United States they pur-
chased many cotton goods from the
American whalcrs, but their opportuni-
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, ''are strong enough to in
tcrfere in everybody's affairs, and tt
threaten us with the exercise of their
power if we bring over any more slave.
from the main"
The highest parts Of the islands arr
denscly wooded, and the mountain side:
are so steep in some places that the top
of some Of the trees touch the trunks anC
roots of others. The language OF tho
island, peculiar Arabic dialect, is sof
and pleasing TO the ear Prince Abdal-
lah Is perhaps one Of the best educated
men IN the Arabic territory, and l wa
struck with the novelty Of the home, AM
the extreme beauty Of face and physica
build of this full -blooded Arab. He is
tall, sol&lcTly-.ookln- man, with squar
shoulders, well-propo-tioned limbs, olivt
complexion, finely cut features, and
black moustache and black hair. | wa
also surprised at the beauty Of one O
his three wives, whom | CHANGED to So
with her mask raised The walls Of hi
house are filled with small inches, recep
taclcs for coffee cups, ornaments, etc
Couches are ranged about the reception
and dining rooms, and floors are covere,
with rich and heavy Turkish carpets an,
rugs. \ black Louri was set 70 fan me
and 3 crowd Of children gathered abou
me, but the harem kept in the back
ground II any Of the harem have occa
sion to 90 in the street or appear in pub
lie it must be with her face behind
three cornercd mask with her eyes peep
inc over It.. After refrcShments-con
.ec,ions and rose syrup-I walked int