The Republican., 1889-07-20
TIE DESERTS MoNARcHs.
The Only Inhabitants of the Great Sahara
"A Peculiar Race.

"A Peculiar Race
A caravan may travel for weeks with
out seeing single person, and yet there
is scarcely q square mile of the Sahara
between the Atlantic and the region of
the Nile that is not at some time passed
over by some of the wandering tribes
that make the desert their home.
The regular caravan routes that tra-
verse it lead from Morocco to Timbuc-
too, from Algiers to the Niger at Tim
buctoo, from Tripoli to the same re-
gion, or to the cities of the Soudan
farther eastward. The population of
the towns of the oases in the northern
edge of the desert is the same rs the
native population of the rest of Algiers
Arabs, Jews, Moabite merchants, ne
groes, etc.
About the outlying oases are the
wandering tribes called Chambaas,
who are nominally subject to the
French and live in good understanding
with them.
The great desert unwatered region,
hSoL ~ IulleS WluO. lldU
stretches its sandy wastes southwark
nearly to the edge of the Soudan, is
overrun-for it can not be called in
habited-by the several tribes of the
Tonaregs, who do not number more
than 1000 or 5000 warriors, yet are
the terror of all peaceful traders who
endeavor to pass through their coun-
try to the cities of the Soudan.
The Chambaas entertain friendly re-
lations with the Algier Tonaregs, but
are bitterly hostile 10 the Poggars,
who are their nearest neighbors.
The Tonaregs are peculiar race of
people. They live principally by brig
andage and laying tribute on caravans
that cross the desert. They are sup
posed to be descendants of people
that in prehistoric times emigrated
from Asia or from Europe to the South
ern shores of the Mediterranean and
were gradually crowded southwark
into the desert.
They are Of swarthy aspect, tall, Wig
orous, supple and quick and energetic
in movement Their only clothing is
q blouse and pantaloons of red or blue
cotton and fitted close to the figure.
On their breast is sort of white scarf,
over which is q belt of red leather sup
porting the cartouch box, which is of
the same material. The head is COW
cred with a turban fastened about the
forehead with band of black stuff,
while a black vest conceals the lower
part of the face, leaving little but a
prominent nose and pair of unamiable
black eyes.
All are armed with a long barbed
lance. which never leaves their hands,
two-handed saber and poniard. At
their saddle hangs a double -barrelled
gun and a shield of antelope hide.
Thus equipped and mounted on their
camels of the species known as mehari,
which they guide with great dexterity,
they present an imposing appearance
and recall the knight errant of the
Middle Ages.
Their appearance is threatening, and
it is not surprising that their less war
like neighbors regard them with ap-
prehension.
The Tonareg noun ted on his mehari
leans against the high back of his sad
die, and pulling his legs about the
cross that forms its front, places his
feet on the animals neck, and guides
it by gentle pressure of the toes .on
one side or the other. Trained from
its earliest youth to this manner. it
responds promptly and turns in the
direction desired, leav ing its rider the
free use of his hands to WELD his
weapons.
The fem ale Tonareg guides her
camel in the same manner, and some
among them are so expert that they
can play a lively air on the mandolin
and compel the animal to follow it in a
dance movement like a well-trained
circus horse.
Owing to the scarcity of water, the
Tonaregs never wash themselves.
Their filth becomes hereditary, even
exceeding that of the most squalid
tribes of American lndians.-Cor. San
Francisco Chronicle.