Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
.DEDoUln WOMEN

is at the fountain that the Bedouin woD-
an - most picturesque, walking Nftn
swaying motion bearing large stone wefeh
pots on her head, poised so well tnAS
she can use both hands for other Things
Thus laden she walks several miles 10
the nearest spring or fountain: or IN
stead of pitcher. she carries on hef
back the goats skin which has been es-
pecially prepared to hold water by being
tanned and having the extremales ted
I'D. the neck being the outlet Tor tRe
water.
Grow Old Very Early.
II is the women who have the unpleae-
ant task of making fuel. As there are
often no trees or bushes near the camp
they collect the droppings OF camels ana
knead them into cakes. which. when
dried serve as fuel. Washing and mend
ing. though OF rare occurrence are nere'
as everywhere. woman's work.
Their life is an extremely hard one. up-
relieved by any of the pure joys or IRE.
excepting the possession OF son-that 10
life of a Bedouin woman. but TO her son
she also soon becomes slave.
The life of hardshlps and wanderings
is a wearing one and women grow OLD
very early AS age comes over woman
she is valued at even less than In her
Younger days and this takes place al the
early age of forty or fifty.
Redouin laws of politeness forbid the
mention of the name woman There are
three things unmentionable-pig dog and
woman. III a man must speak of his wife
he calls her tine thing and bees your
pardon for mentioning her at all In your
presence. Among them: as, IN fact.
among all the natives OF the land. the
birth of girl is no event OF Importance
or rejoicing. and rather one of dire as
appointment and often the cause OF cruel
treatment to the poor mother; whereas
that of son is the means of raising her
in the esteem of her husband and OF all
the tribe
Wives Are Expensive.
When a man is asked how many chill
dren he has he only gives the number
of his boys. never breathing the fact that
he has any girls. Having only daughters
is spoken of as having no children.
The Bedouin. having no respect for his
wife, does not hesitate to divorce her for
any caprice of his own. In moment
of anger he may shout Go from me.
and from that hour the woman In driven
from her home in disgrace.
But, though woman is man slave ana
of no great cost to him when once his
wife. yet she is an expensive luxury Ia
obtain In the first place, for Bedouins
buy their wives. and prospective husbands
must either buy the maiden from her
father or guardian at a large price or
substitute to the seller some maria geab bic
and fair relation of his own This price
varies according to station and beauty IL
may be equal to 500 or four or nve hun
bred.
The one fine trait in both men and
women is their hospitality. But notwitn-
standing their impulsive spirit ana their
genuine generosity. yet there turks under
II an underlined expectation of ample re-
turn for all their gifts, which makes ac-
ceptance of their kindness exceedingly ex-
pensiye They are wonderfully sus-
ceptible to the influence of gifts, and their
friendship is easily bought In this way.
But Bedouins are true to their word and
true to their principles of hospitality.
They would never think OF harming
stranger who was at their mercy IL they
had once taken him under their shelter
and protection. IL their confidence is
really trusted they never betray H. To
the traveller this spirit OF hospitality 10 .
great boon.
At Sunset.
n one approaches an eneampment in .
courteous way. speaking their language
and understanding every detail of Bedouin
etiquette, one receives a cordial invitation
to enter and rest In the shade, and cohee
is at once offered and a sumptuous meal
is prepared for the unknown visitor. The
needs Of horse or camel are also attended
to carefully.
Some of the most interesting scenes
which present themselves in a Bsdouin
encampmentN take plac, at sunset. The
oriental term for the setting OF the sun
is 1.-The hour that women go 10 draw
water" and the fountain scenes appeal
strongly to an artistic eye. At this hour
the men spread the 'abeyeh." or camei's-
hair cloak. on the ground before them.
Continued on Fifth Pagsl