Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-10-15
MOORs AS They ME[T
Their Quaint Customs and Queer.
Modes of Salutation.
DIGNITY AND GRACE ABOUND

DIGNITY AND GRACE ABOUND
Elaborate Social courtesiss That Are
Exchanged In Everyday Life-Em-S
braces and kissesThe Etiquette Of
Sneezes and Yawns. 53 & 1
In contrast to some northern nations
Il Is hardly too much to say that the 6
Moor, of whatever class, is born gem
tleman. There is such grace about
the humblest, such an easy dignity.
that whenever circumstances place
them in positions calling for the exer-
else of courtesy they very seldom fail
to respond, and thus 1t comes to pass
that in a democratic nation, in which
every man OF ability cunning perhaps
would be the better word may rise to
the highest place, even though he start
life as d slave, the self proclaiming
parvenu is practically nonexistent.
This is not, however, to imply that
Raucherie and the pleasant manners
which come from evil dispositions or
stupidity are unknown. Unfortunately
the life led by the average Moor is one
that dwarfs refinement of intellect, as
1t does development Of mind, and the
Vices to which the maj succumb in
early life too often stultify the most
prominent commencement.
It is pretty sight to see two elderly.
dignified Moors salute. With measured
pace, the eyes Of each fixed on those
Of the other, they approach with
slight inclination, holding the right
hands slightly advanced. They press
their finger tips together and begin
yoliey of prescribed SITUATIONS greet
ings and inquiries, hardly pausing to
insert replies and calculate God be
praised Y Then each presses the finger
tips which have been honored by con-
tact with those Of his friend against
his lips and then upon his heart as he
raises his head and redoubles his salu-8
:tatfens. $ssll
To every fellow MosIem the greeting
is given, Es-saIam aI aikumn (ssPeaces
be unto YOU, to which the answer Is,
IVA alai kumes-salsms (''And to you
be peace, TO the unbelIever the
nearest approach to this permitted Is
tsAIa salam tai (.son thy peaoe''),
which might mean any thing. The way
to speed the parting guest is to ex-
claim, God give thee peace or, more
CURLY, In peace. < To those whose
presence has never been desired 1t is
usual to exclaim IN tones SUM ciently
explicit, Allah ihaun-akE r (.God pro-
tect atheer On arrival IT is customary
to exclaim to the gnest, Welcome to;
theep or bban, ahlan wa sab
Ian" Be welcome, at home and at
casey. Courteous interrogat tories fall
thick and fast. How art thou? Thy
house ~ the nearest approach permit
ted to inquiry after d mans wife.
aThy relatives? What news2 Is moth
ing wrong r. TO which he replies, IL
there is nothing specially to complain
Of: .All right, thank God. All are ID
prosperity or, il bad news has to be
given: God knows. Everything Is ID
the hand of Cod y
! When Mosiem meets European
accompanied by Moor, though the
latter be the servant. he not infre-
quently ignores the presence OF the
| foreigner and offers the salutation to
his coreligionist only, but IL he passes
a mixed company of Moors and Jews
| or Christians he exelaims, Peace be
on the people OF Tslam." re two such
/ parties meet on the road the phrase IS,
! peace be to those accompanying the
Jews, Z or t'the Nazarenes,'' and 1t is
4 sufficient for one Of each party to give
and return the greeting, though in the
/ country several often do So Interiors
saluting superiers usually kiss the
hand, shoulder, top Of the turban or
feet or the knee or stirrup OF horse
man, according to the terms on which
4 they approach. The more abject forms
are naturally only used to impIore a
favor, though they are employed some
times to Europeans. In the extremity
OF supplication the very feet on ones
horse are embraced. ..
The old custom OF falling on one an
others necks is still In vogue between
i friends long separated. Men and Wo-
i, men restrict their greetings In public
10 words, but personally was some.
q what startled by the sudden embrace
4 of "a negress whose freedom my father
had been the means Of obtaining when
returning to the country after some
years absence. The kisses on such oc
[, casions are, however, fortunately de
q liyered In the air or on the shoulder.
3, Several little social usages Of Moor
ish life deserve attention, though not
confined to Morocco, such as the ex
clamation to one who sneezes, saThs
\ forgiveness OF God be on me and OF
\ thee!r to which the reply Is, aJustics
and praise to Godr IL q man whs
yawns In public does not use the pre-