New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-22

w most attention ola y
foreign traveller in
Turkey is its women. Like
shadows in an atmosphere OF
secrecy and silence, these ~
yelled phantorns arouse IN the
heart Of q stranger feeling OF
pity and curiosity. Not only the stores Of
the Arabian Nights, but the romantic mys-
terv that surrounds oriental lie, have been 80
the cause Of the eagcrncss OF the Western
Imagination 10 know something OF the
harern. that real home Of Turkish women ~
According % the Islam the master OF the IL
house alone can enter the harem; although u
Mahomet the Prophet did not give any
definite prescription for that, saving, "A
vrtuous woman is the most precious thing
in the unversc and as such she should be
kept out O; the public curiosity. Ills
daughter Fa,ima the wife OF Ali, was more
particular about 1t, and SAID, The most
vrtuous woman is she who sees no man;
and whom no man sees, except her HUSBAND
and her father
It was the daughter Of the Prophet who
INTRODUCED harcrns and wells for the Turkish
women for she thought that the most per-
iect feminine virtue that which was
least exposed % danger. On the other hand'
she taught that woman should be as fem
mine and romantic as possible by beng out 49,, &
Of the atmosphere Of men. The absolute sepaauGl ~
sexes the male being responsible for the social anu Io
females for tf domestic duties was fundamental prn
cpe Of the Islam religion Allah, the god Of Islii' Sd
b his Prophet 90 Prophet, prescribe for tiny WV anu
for the women Of all thy followers that they shaH Tci
aveil that they shall be neither recoghzeu oi '
dered' -
"The girl scclusion in her fathers house begins WIN
the wearing Of the veil writes the son Of loiHici
Turkish Cabinet Minister. "Ths happens generaHy
between the age Of twelve and thirteen ana tleI d"
conradcship with her boy friends must ccdSe' INo
being the visible symbol OF the separation Oh the So"
And this separation is complete IN every deIdii'
Constantnople in the trans, in the tram"ayS' III '
subway from Galata 20 Pera, in the stations as WEB a.
on the steamers that serve the country lois II 49,
porus, find q curtain 70 separate the oedH Se'' i
the other
In the streets Of Turkish towns hears IN cary
morning voices crying "Smjm tine MN A.
BakRGH' (thc grocer) "EkmekdJH tine DdhciI .ho
each door opens little hand slips out ana taxes liz
Delivered goods: but the receiver remains eeliaiiy
hidden Il is true that often one hears a lelin tt
voice giving new orders making some inquiries Ou,
VINO she is and how she looks remains mystery. ="
turkish woman never goes shopping, and only on
home.
EVERY Turkish home is divided into two dstiiiCt
partS,-thc scamlik for the men, ana Ie A' I'll.
10Y the women In aristocratic households the Scih
ana the harcmlik form two independent sides % ~
ach containing separate staff OF servants, I'.
Se selamik and female for the harerniK. III tO Ia
ue CLASS tins division IS less strict NhcH Iic '"''''
DE ne merchant, clerk or professional man 10
after his days work he usually spends his evening III
sne Selamk, where he is Joined by the members Oh Ino
laimy and receives intimate friends even IN inc
u ms females. However in the poor families tin a
aost vanshcs; for there the husband and the FEMININE
tire day
~ IS rare that d Turkish husband accompanies nis
r Ge IN the street She usually goes alone WIN neI
~ nen companion or servant. poor urK is oi:CLi
81 exception but even he walks on the opposite s'ue
TN. Je Street To guest, especially 70 STRANGE, q
c h VIII never speak Of his wife Of his daughter ~
o?ders il insult if he should be asked about MS
na health In his conversation he avoids mention
6 ~ name rs mnnh ~ rneeihlc But u nc lS dD9O-