The Opelousas courier., 1890-01-18
THE HOMES OF Ell MOORS.
a VISIT TO THE HosPITABLE ABODE
OF AN ALGERIAN.
Received and Entertained by His
Wives Their Quaint Curiosity
Beautiful, Dark-Eyed' Children.

eAAA $500
Wives-Their Quaint Curiosity
Beautiful, Dark-Eyed. Children.
Describing in the New York Observer
a visit to a Moorish family in Algiers,
Fannie G. N. Barbour, says: Our host
ess stood at the top of the stairs to re-
ceive us, and as she had been notified of
our intended visit, was richly attired.
She was a tall, handsome woman, who
looked to be about forty years of age, al
though she may not have been more than
thirty, for the Moorish women always
look older than they are, owing to the
climate and their mode Of life. She re-
ceived us with an easy grace, and led the
way into a room at one side of the square
balcony. Outside the door, in the cor
ridor, we stumbled over a row of slippers
of all sizes, from the tiny three-year-old
to the larger foot-covering of the women
A Moorish woman never steps upon a car
pet or rug without removing her shoes,
as they are considered too sacred to tread
upon. We hesitated a moment, desiring
to do the polite thing, whatever it might
be; but our friend said no, and we en-
tered with our shoes on. The room was
furnished in a curious manner, the tiled
floor being thickly covered with the soft
est and most charming of antique rugs.
All the women were sitting around on
the rugs when we entered, and they did
not rise, but welcomed us with a pleasant
"Salaam." They were quite as gayly
robed as our hostess, and sparkling with
uncut Jewels, their jackets braided and
woven with gold thread and %tinsel, Their
silver ornaments worn across the fore
head, and many strings of pearls and
beads around their throats; also numer.
Gus silver bracelets and anklets. 1t is
only the young and middle aged women
who are so decked out, for when they are
old, they are dressed quite plainly, and
even stability, and in marked contrast to
their younger companions.
We were invited to occupy the sofa,
where we sat in state surrounded by the
curious and inquisitive group of women,
who sat cross legged on the floor, gath
cred close around US. Our friend com
menced the conversation in Arabic, but
some of the younger women could speak
a little French with us, which they learn
from their husbands or their servants. We
were introduced to the eldest woman
present, who turned out to be the first
wife of the master of the house. The
fine looking woman who had received us
was his second wife. There they lived
together in those crowded quarters with
their two sets of children, and seemingly
perfect peace and harmony prevailed.
A great many questions were asked
about US. "Were we Inglesa?" And
when it was explained that we were
Americana, a perfectly blank expression
came over their faces, as they know 9th
ing of that far away nation, or Of geog-
raphy or history.
The women are ve-J ignorant, and
have no education whatever. Yet their
eyes are bright and their faces intelli-
gent, and there is a pathetic sadness
about them, as if they looked out from
behind the dark curtain of ignorance
which enfolds them and begged US for
light.
Our conversation could not be very
fluent, as we knew very few Arabic
words and our hostesses spoke but little
French. But through our interpreter we
soon became well acquainted, and an
swered many questions about our own
homes. They were quite amazed when
we informed them that our husbands had
only one wife, and this was the general
custom in good society in our country.
They asked why this was SO, and seemed
surprised that our laws forbade it, for
with them a good Mohammedan is al
lowed four wives, provided he can show
that he is able to support that number.
Of course there are many who only have
one, but poverty is usually the reason
why.
The young children were very hand
some, especially the little boys. They
have large dark eyes and fine heads with
broad foreheads. They are always with
their mothers until about five years of
age, when they are sent to the Arab day
school to learn the Koran by rote, and
after that they work with their fathers at
his trade OF in his bazaar.