The times., 1898-06-20
QUAINT MOORISH CUSTOMS.
Elaborate Social Courtesy EXchans-
ed In Everydny Life.

Elaborate Social Courtesy EXchnnE-
ed In Everyday Life.
New York. June 19.-In contrast to some
Northern nations. It is hardly too much
to say that the Moor. of whatever class,
is born a gentleman There Is such
grace about the humblest, such an easy
dignity. that whenever circumstances
place them in positions calling for the
exercise of courtesy. they very seldom
fail TO respond, and thus 1t comes to pass
that in democratic nation, in which ey-
cry man of ability--cunning. perhaps,
would be the better word-may rise to the
highest place. even though he start life
as a slave, the self-proclaiming parvenu
is practically non-existent. This is not.
however, to imply that gaucherie and the
unpleasant manners which come from
evil dispositions or stupidity are un-
known. Unfortunately, the life led by
the average Moor is one that dwarfs re-
fnement of intellect, as it does develop
ment of mind. and the vices to which the
majority succumb in early life too often
stultify the most prominent commence
ment. Probably much of the graceful
Difference of the young Moors is due to
the respect they are taught 10 pay TO
their elders, but something. also. must be
due to their unconstrained life and limbs.
and their ample costumes, while their
very slowness Of action takes an air of
dignity.
It is a pretty sight to see two elderly.
dignifed Moors salute. With measured
pace. the eyes of each fixed on those Of
the other. they approach with slight in
clination, holding the right hands slightly
advanced They press their fnger-tiDs
together and begin a yOlley OF prescribed
salutat!ons. greetings and inquiries.
hardly pausing to insert replies and ejac-
ulate, God be praised?' Then each
presses the finger-tips. which have ioeen
honored by contact with those of his
friend against his lips. and then upon his
heart, as he raises his head, and redou-
bies his salutations.
To every fellow Moslem the greeting is
given ~Es-salam alaikum' C'Peace be
unto you'O. To which the answer is Wa
alaikum es-salam' (''And to you be
peace'). To the unbeliever the nearest
approach TO this permitted is ASA saiam'
tax" con thy peace'), which might mean
anything. The way 10 speed the parting
guest is to exclaim. God give thee
peace or, more curtly. In peace" To
those whose presence has never been de-
sired IL is usual to exclaim in tones suf-
ficiently explicit, Allah ihaun-aki" Good
protect theeF3. On arrival il is custom
airy TO eXclaim TO the guest, Welcome 10
thee"' or ''Marhabban. ahlan wa sahlan"
(''Be welcome. at home. and at ease').
Courteous interrogatories fall thick and
fast How art thou? Thy house?"-
the nearest approach permitted TO in
quiry after mans wife-"Thy relatives?
What news? Is nothing wrong?" To
which he replies, If there is nothing spe-
ciaIIy 10 complain of, "AlI right, thank
God. All are in prosperity" Or if bad
news has to be given. God knows: every
thing is in the hand of Cod
When Moslem meets a European ac-
companied by a Moor. though the latter
be the servant. he not infrequently ig-
nores the presence of the foreigner and
offers the salutation of his co-religionist
only; but If he passes mixed company
of Moors and Jews. or Christians. he ex-
claims. Peace be on the people of
L sla nj" II two such parties meet on
the road the phrase is, Peace be 10 those
accompanying the Jews" or "the Nazar-
enes,'' and it is sufficient for one of each
party 10 give and return the greeting
though in the country several often do
so. Interiors salu5ing superiors usually
kiss the hand. shoulder. top of the tur-
ban, or feet, or the knee or stirrup of a
horseman, according TO the terms on
which they approach. The more abject
forms are naturally only used to implore
a favor. though they are employed some
time to Europeans. In the extremity of
supplications the very feet of ones horse
are embraced.
The old custom of falling on one anoth-
| er's necks is still in vogue between friends
| long separated. Men and women restrict
! their greetings in public to words, but,
personally. / was somewhat startled by
| the sudden embrace of a negress whose
| freedom my father had been the means
of obtaining, when returning to the coun-
try after some years absence. The kisses
on such occasions are, however, tortu-
nately delivered in the air or on the Shoul-
der. 1t is customary to exclaim at such
meetings, Il have been desolated for
| theei''
To judge from the exclamations ever on
| the tongues of the Moors, they might be
an extremely pious people, and no doubt
there are among them those who really
mean what they say, but generally the
most religious phrases have degenerated
into vain repetition. Elaborate curses fall
| almost as freely.
| When about to repeat some part of the
| Koran, or a prayer, the petition is COM
monty uttered. II take refuge with God
| from Satan, the stoned and when any
! thing great or alarming occurs, they ex-
! claim, There Is neither chance nor pow
| er, save in God the High. the Mighty"
| Quotations from the Koran are also free
| ly introduced in conversation by the
| learned, as are proverbs and sayings by
| the generality of Moors, a knowledge of
which is a great help in conversation.
| Several little social usages of Moorish
| life deserve attention. though not con-
| fined to Morocco, such as the exclama-
| ton to one who sneezes, 1.-The forgiveness
| of God be on me and on theei' to which
! the reply is, Justice and praise to Godi'
| If a man who yawns in public does not