The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
WOMEN OF ZANZIBAR.
Something About Their Dress and
ways of Living

| In referring to the ways and customs
! Of Zanzibar r. E. Mansfield. ex-United
States Consul at that place. says that
one of the most picturesque features was
the veritable Rebecca at the well.
AT almost any hour OF the day crowds
Of half clad women, dressed in gailv col
ored costumes, can be seen at the wells
and hydrants drawing water, which they
put into tin cans or earthen pots that will
hold about six gallons each. When the
vessels are filed they are hoisted upon the
heads of the carriers, who march along
under the burden as erect and graceful
as n athlete would move about unencum-
: bered: All the water supply for the lT5,-
90 Inhabitants of Zanzibar is carried up
on the heads of women
= have frequently seen q native woman
carrying as many as three water pots IN
on her head. one on the top of the other
and each standing at a different angle
Each of the vessels would hold several
gallons of water, and with them all filed
she would march along, balancing them
so perfectly that not a drop would be
spilled. have also seen one OF those
water carriers balance a six gallon jar
filed with water. on her head. while she
was engaged in other tasks that required
the use of both her hands, and at the
same time place her in a STOPPING posi-
ton The head was so posed as to main
tain the equilibrium OF the jar. This
practice of carrying articles on their
heads has given to the women Of Zanzi-
bar a fine muscular development of the
neck and shoulders, as well as an erect
and graceful carriage.
The Arab women, very few of whom are
seen on the streets. wear a kind of pa
jana, robe of colored materials, n veil.
or sometimes a silk handkerchief folded
and fastened around the brow, al Indi-
enne. An embroidered waiscoat and the
"barakoa,' or gilt mask of Muskat
reaching nearly TO the mouth, are com
mon. also, while over all is thrown a
large, square piece Of silk fabric which
is draped gracefully about the form. San
dals, or wooden clogs, held by strap or
a button between the toes COMPLETES the
costume. The Hindoo women dress sim
liar to the Arabs except that they wear
more gaudy fabrics and more ornaments
The costume of the native women.
while less elaborate and expensive is
pieces of cotton cloth, usually of special
pattern, with large figures, varied and
bright colors. These kangas, as they are
calleS are made especially for the Zanzi-
bar trade and their like Is found no place
else in the world. one piece of cloth Is
drawn tightly around the body, Just be-
low the arms. and is deity and securely
fastened without the aid of pins or but
tons. Native women never wear any
thing on their feet. Many Of them dec
crate their faces with paint The women
of Zanzibar wear rings In their ears. They
also wear nose rings and nose studs
Civilized women wear gold and SILVER
bands on their wrists-so also do the ma
tiVes Of Africa. They even go farther and
wear anklets. In fact a native Woman's
social standing is gagged by the amount
Of 1ewelry she wears, and many Of the
gold and silver ornaments they wear are
handsome in design and artistic in finish
The seni-barharous African woman tries
to make herself beautiful by the arrange
ment Of her kinky hair She will spend
hours with little hand glass. arranging
her hair and admiring herself