The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-08
WHITE MEN AT ALGERIA.
Something About the Manners and
Customs of the Berbers.

From the London Express.
The Berbers of Algeria arc people OF
whom there is much good to be said.
Whether in the olive-clad mountains OF
Kabylia or the terraced valleys of their
Aurasian Businesses. they are white men
and in general act like white men.
Very little is known about them in this
country, but MIR. Anthony Wilkin has
written so fascinatingly about them In his
admirable book, Among the Berbers OF
Algeria" that there is no excuse for us
to remain longer in ignorance concerning
this interesting race of men,
Among them the virtues of honesty,
hospitality and good nature are eonspic-
uous: and IL Is something of a misfortune
to reflect that Mahomedanlsm and the
fact that they no longer dwell in the low
lands prevent them entering, as they
would otherwise have entered, on the path
of peace and progress.
Descendants of a mighty race, whose
culture once spread from the Atlantic TO
the Red sea and the Hauran, from Crete
to Tmbuctoo and the Soudan, there are
still to be found among them the ves-
tiges of the arts and sciences, OF the
spirit of conquest, and the capac ~ for
self-government which, If developed,
n
The Berber women of the Aures wash
their garments on the rocks. soaking
them. treading upon them, and spreading
! and trampling each piece until II Is quite
! clean. They have blue eyes and fair
| skins, and, unlike the true daughters OF
| the prophet, gaze unveiled upon the cas-
| ual unbeliever.
Throughout the Aures district the
houses are built on the same plan. When
o1ffq 1,n En- farn n
wall IL is used as such. Mr. Wlkin in
forms MS. If the cliff contains hole or
hollow, so much the better.
The walls are made of blocks Of stone
set in mud instead of mortar, the larger
crevices being filed with spiinters and the
smaller with fragments: while In the bet
ter houses the square faces OF the stones
are set outwards In such n way as to
give a very regular appearance.
Inside these houses are generally stone
benches, which have been carved from the
rocks, or are built of odd stones and plas-
tered fat with mud. The floors also are
Of rock Ieveled with mud.
The animals are sometimes stabbed in
the family room, but as often IN a sep
arate stall, either under or close to the
main building. The women regularly
sweep the roofs every morning; nor are
the villagers so dirty as might be sup
posed.
At sunset the women come up from the
streams bearing water In goat-skins, or
faggots, or forage, all piled upon their
backs For the most part they are dressed
In black or dark blue gowns, gath
cred In at the waists with brightly-colored
wooden gird,es.
Some wear sandals of grass neatly
plated and these are commonly worn
BY the men as we'll. Many women 20
barefoot, however. like the children.
The wives of rich and indugent hus-
bands are often loaded with coarse silver
ornaments. including a gigantic pair Of
anklets that weigh nearly a pound, and
cIank like chains on the legs of the pro-
verbal ghost
Their head-dresses vary greatly in the
matter OF color, but are all more or less
based on a squarish turban, over which
gaudy handkerchlefs are arranged with
scrupulous care and an excellent eye for
effect.
The servants wear practically the same
garments as their masters, and are treated
so nicely by them that 1t Is difficult Tor
a stranger TO distinguish them at once.
To notice a servant, however, In tho pres
ence of a kaid would be grave breach of
etiquette.
often your host will insist on waiting
on you himself, and on these occasions he
Will not TOUCH e. nOuLIHuf nlnlSetI until
he sees that his guests are satisfied.
The Berber is a born trader who will
think nothing of tramping for miles TO
gain a few pence.
Though tattooing Is expressly forbidden
by the Koran the practice prevails among
all the Berbers Of Algeria. The girls Of
ten have a b.ue cross on the forehead be-
tween the eyes.
Whatever the women think they in
a.
take TO the mountains. or die premature
IS, leaving a sorrowfuI husband with an
all-too-numerous family. They are Great
ures OF impulse.