Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
An EASTER N the ORIENT
Continued from Fourth Page

and. standing upon It, they lift their hands
to heaven with faces turned eastward to
Mecca. Then they kneel upon 1T and bow
their heads to the sround: Thus Pros pros,
Arabaic words from the Koran. for the
religion Of the Bedouin is Mohammedan-
ism. Five times a day is this service of
devotion performed. always preceded by
hands" This Is accomplished by having
some one pour water from pitcher over
their outstretched hands.
Another scene of peculiar interest to the
tourist ID that of the dipping In the dish. -"
When the meat Is ready all the men gath
er together and sit In circle on the
matted ground and partake Of the food in
a large wooden bowl I'm the center. This
generally contains boiled rice and minced
meat swimming in grease or covered with
aban''-sour goats milk. Over II are
placed the Nat Arab loaves. The meal be-
gins by the host complimenting his guest
by treating him to the morsel Of honor.
For an Honored Guest.
This Is made follows: The host
takes a cake Of this soft hot bread. and
putting his fingers into the rice. takes
UP a handful and rolls II into the bread
In the shape OF ball. and then with his
own hand places 1t within the mouth Of
his guest. pushing it we'll inside. This is
the sign for the meal to begin. and now
the company all follow his example
Putting their hand simultaneously into
the bowl. they proceed TO make like
balls for themselves.
They say that the use of knives and
forks is an insult to Almighty God. who
created hands The women do not par
take OF these feasts. nor do they sit down
to meals with their husbands and sons
They serve them and then eat after
ward with the children. for even Bedouns
have etiquette. and food il always passed
around according to rank. and. of course
the women come last of all. They stand
part OF the tent from the reception room
and peer through the crevices or holes
made by them. and listen to everything
raid and whisper and gigEle together.
One can we'll picture Sarah listening be-
hind the tent curtain at the conversation
between her lord and his guest. and
laughing at the suggestion Of her having
q son.
and chat and their inevitable coffee
SQuatting In a circle around the camp
IRE they light their long pipes and listen
to the old-time STORY teller His
lensthy stories Of adventure or fables Of
pany spellbound. Then they all hurst into
singing First, one starts and the others
Join in some plaintive recitative songs,
which they repeat times innumerable
These camp fires keep wild animals at q
A Sleepless Night.
Al length when night is far spent and
the last pickering ember among the ashes
has died out and stillnes prevails through
out the camp the traveller also retires to
his tent. his mind filled with a variety Of
Interesting pictures Of the strange life
he has entered upon. But. alas! trivial
accomplishments TO a night in a Bedouin
encampment which do not In the least
disturb tho native to that life born are
a cause Of great annoyance to the visitor
and give him a sleepless night.
Near BY his tent are the interesting
noises OF the continual movements OF the
the bleating of sheep. the barking Of dogs.
the braying Of donkeys and the stamp
Ing Of horses hoofs, all Of which goes on
all night long.
Further of are the chirping Of crickets.
the croaking of frogs and the uncomforta-
BILE sounds Of the shrieking Of jackals and
hyenas. But these are all minor troubles
to those within his own tent. Here flies.
mosquitoes and sand flies are his closest
companions and thickly inhabit his lodg-
ing. The heat. which to the Bedouin is
a source Of comfort. grows insuherable
to the poor stranger. These are the draw
backs 10 an insight into Bedouin life.
Long ere daybreak he is awakened from
a morning rap. at last attained through
sheer exhaustion by the screams Of the
children all around the camp. Life is astir
and the work Of the women has begun.
And thus begins another day in the Bed
cuin camp to be spent exactly like yester-
succession Of days. weeks. months and
years. While life shall last the Redouin
knows no change nor does he wish fol
any.