El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-01-09

~ TsHlNGION, D. e. Jan. Sine
Wate.t land brought within the
apidly expanded war area is
that thin strip upon the eastern coast
Of the Mediterranean sea. the Holy
Land, sacred to the believers Of three
world-religions, to Christians, Jews
and Moslems, and ground wherein were
Graded ideals which have made almost
all civilization tributary. 1t is a bridge
between the Moslem power in Asia
Minor and the Moslem power in Egypt,
and so assumes strategic Importance In
the war of the nations. Yet the Holy
Land is a land embalmed IN the spirit
and customs Of 5000 years ago, accord
ing to a description of village life there
as prepared By John D. Whiting for the
National Geographic society:
Manners and Customs Unchanged.
Manners and customs which pre-
vailed in Palestine in Biblical days are
still unchanged. While the towns
people are losing their ancient customs
and quaint costumes, the villagers are,
I'm those things. as they were 5000
years ago. Three distinct classes in
habit the land: the BedOuin, a nomadic,
war-Ioving race; the Fellaheen, agri-
culturists, shepherds and village
dwellers: and the Madaniyeh, who live
in the towns and cities and are ar
tisans.
"The present day villages are To-
Gated, as a rule, either on the tops OF
hills. originally for protection, or near
some spring or source Of water. Many
are built upon the foundations of
buildings whose origin dates PACK
thousands of years. There does not
exist a single example of a peasant viii
lage that has been founded in modern
times.
Village streets are crooked, narrow
and unpaved. The farmers houses are
crowded close together for protection.
These houses consist of one large room,
usually square About two-thirds OF
the space within IS devoted to raised
masonry platform, same eight to ten
feet above the ground, and this is the
kitchen. store-rOOm bedroom ana nv
inE-room Of the family. Below TINS
platform the cattle and flocks are
housed, goats and sheep, few work
cattle. and perhaps a donkey or camel
Each village Hns Social Center.
Each village has guest-chamber
which is the social center for all the
village men, who love companionshlp
and are great gossips- Each day, by
turn, one of the villagers furnishes the
coffee, beans and sugar TO be served
10 the men who gather at the guest
chamber.
They are, Of course, great respect
ers of persons. so that If a common
man happens in, a couple Of fried eggs
with DTeau ana Olives VI IA W. ASA LA-----
II a more important parsonage arrives,
n pair Of roast chickens is provided Tor
his supper: but if a sill more honored
one or a company of men appear,
lamb or kid is killed. The village
guest-chamber is a club of the village
men.
children in the peasant families are
.1vavs welcomed. The father prtdes
himself on his boys Even the mother
prefers them, and when questioned as
TO the number Of her offspring sne
viii say she has five children and two
girls. or whatever the numbers may
he This is the more strange since the
would-be husband must pay his tather-
in-Iaw a handsome price for the girl,
while boys are a heavy expense ana
their wives am weddings are cosby
affairs
women are looked upon as some
thing inferior. The woman may
never call her husband by his first
name. but oh father Of Ahmed, or
whatever the eldest sons name may
he The wife likewise takes the name
Of her first-bOrn son. The husband
will never say my wife or mention
her first name, but will say either the
mother of Ahmed or my family, the
relative in my house. the forbidden
or the daughter of my uncle. me
reason for this last title is that the
village man in the Holy Lana maIIles
his first cousin in preference to anyone
else, and in fact she cannot marry an
other if he want her.
Babies Roughly Treated.
when the fellah or peasant child
is born, its tender skin, withaut being
washed, is rubbed with olive oil ana
salt. For seven consecutive days II
is re-oiied. and when a week old gets
its first bath and is again oiled. IN
some localities they consider it unsafe
10 battle the baby before it is forty
davs old. Mortality anon the babies Is
great. and it is not to be wondered al,
for in view of the rough treatment
thev. receive. it becomes question OF
the survival of the fittest.
''The ways Of these village folk, their
methods Of agriculture of administra-
ton of household and community ana