The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-29
WHITE MEN OF ALGERIA.
Iron the I.ondon Express.l

FROM the lOQ0On EXpf6SS-
The Berbers Of Algeria are a people OF
whom there is much good to be said
Whether in the o1ive-clad mountains q
Kabylia or the terraced valleys Of the:-
Aurasian Businesses they are white men
and in general act like white men,
Very little is known about them in this
country, but Mr.. Anthony Willxin has
written so faScinatingly about them IN
his admirable book Among the BerbeIs
of Algeria" that there is no excuse for
US to remain longer in ignorance cen
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 Mahonedanislss
and the fact that they no longer dwell
in the low1ands prevent them entering
as they would otherwise have entered. on
she path of peace and progress.
Descendants of a mighty race, whose
culture once spread from the Atlantic 10
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 Splr-
it 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 trampling each piece until it is
quite clean. They have blue eyes and
fair skins, and, unlike the true daugd
ters of the prophet, gaze unveiled upon
the casual unbeliever.
Throughout the Aures district the
houses are built on the same plan. When
e cliff can be found to form the back
wall it is used as such, Mr.. Wilkin in
forms US If the cliff contains a 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 splinters and
the smaller with fragments; while in the
h r1,f. .NR h
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 fiat with mud. The floors also
are of rock leVeled with mud.
The animals are sometimes stabbed in
the family room but as often in 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 dress
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
OdItIOOL0O, however, ike LnG CQllQIeI-
The wives of rich and indulgent hus-
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
prOverbiaI ghost.
Their headdresses vary greatly in the
matter of color, but are all more or less
based Oh a squarish turban, over which
gaudy handkerchief are arranged with
scrupulous care and an excellent eye s11
effect.
The servants wear practically the
same garments as their masters, and are
treated so nicely by them that it is di6i-
cult for a stranger to distinguish them
at once. To notice a servant, however, in
the presence Of a kaid would be a grave
breach of etiquette.
Often your host will insist on waiting
on you himself, and on these occasiors
ne will not touch a mouthful himself I'M
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-nunerOuS family They
are creatures of impulse