The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-02-17
A MURDEROUS RACE.
The Touaregs, Who Made Way
with the Marquis De M res.
Their Principal Occupation Ii Rob-
berry, Yet They Are Said to
BE Hospitable and Kind to
Their Friends.

The Touarges inhabit the whole OF the
central Sahara south of the Chat noun
tains. According to the testimony OF
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 a great nation, divided into
two sections, each with a sultan and
subordinate chiefs. 1t is impossible TO
form any estimate of their numbers.
They are a white-skinned race, and are
believed to have descended from a
branch of the Hametic family. Their
language is a mixture Of dialects spoilen
by Inhabitants of Tell and Of the L:byan
desert, and is cha.ac :cr:zcd IL Il certain
harshness, which has led Europeans to
call it the German Of the plains" The
TouMegs' principal occupation is rob-
lsery. Fidelity and hospitality are dis
, tinguish;pg characteristics of these peo-
pie. and ii ose who have been committed
to them for protection arc generally de-
! Tended to the death. This makes it al
the more remarkable that they should
! have turned traitor to De Mores. The
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
| few inches below the knee, and num-
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 most charm
ing person. She is usually as fair as an
, coqmttish and saucy. Blue eyes are
said to predominant 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 q chemise,
short skirt and blouse-lil1e waist,
with no sleeves. The waist is quite fire.
quently richly embroidered, but only
the wives and daughters of chieftains
are allowed to decorate their skirt or
wear slippers. Stockings are unknown
TO these females. The female Touare2s
are very proud of ornaments, and wear
anklcts, bracelets, ETC., of painted wood,
if they cannot afford the precious
metals, and around their necks are hung
tai;sD,ans and ornaments of various
kinds. They go unveiled and seem per-
fectly at liberty, for the Touareg is not
consumed with that conjugal jealousy
which marks the Mussulman of the
cast. No man is allowed to have mere
sultan. A chieftain may have three,
but no limit is placed on the size of the
sultan's harem. The women are usu-
ally slender in build, and, unlike other
oriental women, retain their beauty
we'll on into their declining years.
The Touaregs alone of all the tribes
of Africa haze an indigenous alphabet,
and most Of them can read and write
their own characters, not on paper or
parchment, but on the dark rocks In
which their country abounds. They are
one point ahead of both Nloors and
Arabs in civilization in that spoons are
| in general use among them. They are
made Of wood, and are very neat Their
government is kind of oligarchy. I he
sultans at Timbuctoo and Agad;s exer-
else general sway over their respective
people, hut the most power is vested in
| the subordinate chefs.-Philadelph
Telegraph.
Pretty T2if of Tfpor