The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-30
WHITEMEN OF ALGERIA.
IRON the London Express.l

From the London ExpresS-3
The Berbers of Algeria are a people OF
whom there is much good to be said
Whether in the olive-clad mountains ct
Kabylia or the terTaced valleys of theis
Auras1an Businesses they are white men
and in general act like white men,.
Very little is known about them ia this
country, but Mr.. Anthony Wilkin has
written SO fascinat1ngly about them IN
his admirable book Among the BerbeTS
of Algeria, that there is no excuse for
US to remain longer in ignorance ccn-
corning this interesting race Of men.
Among them the virtues of honesty,
hospitality and good nature are con-
spicuous; and it is something of a mis-
fortune to reflect that MahoTnedaniSGa
and the fact that they no longer dwell
III the lowlands prevent them entering
as they would otherwise have entered, on
the path of peace and progress.
Descendants of mighty race, whose
culture once spread from the Atlantic to
the Red sea and the Hauron. from Crete
to Timbuctoo and the Soudan, there are
still to be found among them the yes
tlges of the arts and sciences, of the spir-
1t of conquest, and the capacity for self
government which, if developed, would
again make them a great nation.
The Berber women of the Aures wash
their garments on the rocks, soaking
them, treading upon Them and spread
ing and tranpling each piece until 1t is
quite clean. They have blue eyes and
fair skins, and, unlike the true daugn- .
terS or the prophet gaze unveiled upon
the casual unbelieVer.
Throughout the Aures district the
houses are built on the same plan. When
cliff can be found to form the back
wall 1t is used as such, Mr.. Wilkin in
forms u.s. II the cliff contains a hole or
hollow, so much the better.
The walls are made of blocks of store
get in mud instead OF mortar, the larger
cT'evices being filed with splinters and
the smaller with fragments; while in the
better houses the square faces OF The
stones are set outwards in such a 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
plastered fat with mud. The floors also
are of rock leveled 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 ths
streams bearing water in goat-Skins, or
faggots, or forage, all piled upon their
ed in black or dark blue gowns, gathered
in at the waists with brightly colorsd
wooden girdles-
Some wear sandals of grass neatly
plated, and these are commonly worn
by the men as well. Many women go
parefOOted, however, like the children.
Inc wives OF Tlch and 1ndulRenE nus
bands are often loaded with coarse sill
yer ornaments, including a gigantic pair
of anklets that weigh nearly a pound.
and clank like chains on the legs Of the
proverbial ghost.
Their headdresses vary greatly in the
matter of color, but are all more or less
based on a squarish turban, over which
gaudy handkerchiefs are arranged with
scrupulous care and an excellent eye <5r
effect.
The servants wear practically the
same garments as their masters, and are
treated SO nicely by them that it is dill
cult for a stranger to distinguish them
at once To notice a servant, however, in
the presence of a kaid would be a gra''e
breach of etiquette.
Often your host will insist on waiting
on you himself, and on these occasiocs
he viii not touch mouthful himself UNI
til he sees that his guests are satisfied.
The Berber is a born trader, who viii
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 often have a blue cross ON the fore
head between the eyes.
Whatever the women think, they in
stantly act-elope with some young
spark, take to the mountains, or die pre-
maturely, leaving a sorrowful husband
with an all-too-numerouS family. They
are creatures of impulse.