The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-09-01
IA MURDEKOUS RACE.
The Touaregs Who Made Way
with the Marquis De Mores.
Their Principal Occupation IL Rob.
berry, Yet They Are Said to
BE Hoepitable ana Kind TO
Their Friends.

central Sahara south of the Gkst noun
tains. According to the testimony ol
explorers, they are the most warlike
tribe in all Africa, and are feared alike
by their kindred Hamites, by the Arabs
and by the negroes.
The Touaregs constitute not merely
tribe, but great nation, divided into
two sections, each with q sultan and
subordinate chiefs. 1t is impossible 10
form any estimate of their numbers
They are white-skinned race, and are
believed to have descended from a
branch of the Hametic family. Theil
language is mixture of dialects spoken
by inhabitants of Tell and of the Libyau
desert and is characterized by certain
harshness, which has led Europeans to
call it the German of the plains" The
Touaregs' principal occupation is rob
berry. Fidelity and hospitality are dis
tinguishing characteristics of these peo-
pie, and those who have been committed
to them for protection are generally de-
Tended to the death. This makes it all
the more remarkable that they should
L
physical appearance of the Touaregs is
most remarkable. They are tall men,
but generally slender and nimble. Their
arms are unusually long. and their faces
present most ferocious appearance
greatly enhanced by self-inflicted scars
Of fantastic design on both cheeks and
forehead. The custom is also peculiar
and distinctive, differing entirely from
the dress worn by Arabs. 1t somewhat
resembles the costume Of the Chinese
and consists of wide pantaloons, falling
C few inches below the knee, and mum.
Der of loose blouses with wide sleeves
These are made of cotton cloth, called
sole, which is brought from the Soudan,
and is generally of different shades of
blue, sometimes striped. Whether in
town or tent, it is the custom of the
Touaregs to wear at least two Of these
garments, the outermost OF which is
ornamented with rich embroidery in
gold. forming irregular designs, and
particularly heavy on the left breast
and right shoulderblade.
The Touareg woman is a most charm.
ing person. She is usually as fair as on
American, and is said to be pretty,
coquettish and saucy. Blue ewes are
said to predominste among them, al
though blonde hair is ararity. The Eng
lish traveller, Andury, saw many blue
eyes among the females, but no blonde /
heads. The females dress very simply. |
their costume consisting Of chemlse,
q short skirt and q blouse-like waist |
with no sleeves. The waist Is quite fre-
quently richly embroidered, but only |
the wives and daughters of chieftains |
are allowed to decorate their skirt or |
wear slippers. Stockings are unknown
10 these females. The female TouareCs
are very proud Of ornaments, and wear
bracelets, ETC., of painted wood,
If they cannot afford the precious
metals, and around their necks ere hung
talismans and ornaments of various
kinds They go unveiled and seem per.
'ectly at liberty, for the Touareg is not
consumed with that conjugal jealousy
which marks the Mussulman of the
east. No man Is allowed to have more
'A1nii Ouc WLc, save uile clleICdln OF \
sultan. A chieftain may have three
but no limit is placed on the size Of the
sultan's harem. The women are usu.
lily slender in build, and, unlike other
oriental women, retain their beauty
we'll on into their declining years.
The Touaregs alone of ell the tribes
II Africa have an indigenous alphabet
nd most of them oan read and write
heir own characters, not on paper OF
but ON the dark rocks in
which their country abounds. They are
me point ahead of both Moors and
Arabs in civilization in that spoons are
n general use among them. They ore
made Of wood, and, are very neat Their
government is kind Of oligarchy. 1he
ultans at Timbuctoo and Agadis e1er.
Use a general sway over their respective
'eople. but the most power Is vested in
he subordinate chiefs.-Philadelphi
Telegraph