Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-05
HOW THE MACEDOM|ANS
IMPRESS THE TRAVELLER

toward the stranger and their indiffer-
ence, in general, toward the graces of
life, the mountain people. of Macedonia
possess many lighter characteristics,
whose expression often strikes the trav-
eler in their country as far more enter
tanning than the comic opera in his
home land begins a bulletin issued
today by the National Geographic So
ciety, which tells some of the pecu-
liarities of the conglomerate Servo
Bulgaro-Turko-Gr aeco-Wlach popula-
tion of that area to which the most
violent fighting has been transferred.
1t continues:
ITO begin with. the traveller in Ma
cedonia forms the impression that he
is come to land of bewhiskered wom-
en-, for most of the men of Macedonia
wear skirts. Some wear sort of bal
let skirt, like the southern Albanian,
and some long Mother Hubbard skirts,
like the Saloniki Jew. The skirts worn
by the Jewish men are wonderful
things in brilliant colors. and of a kind
of bed-curtain material. While a great
many Macedonian men have cast ASIDE
their skirts enough of them have chung
to the time-honored fashion to make
the scene confusing one to the west
erner on his first visit.
Describes Baptismal Ceremony.
eThe Macedonian, also, has q custom
all his own for observing the ceremony
of baptism. Many of his priests use oil
instead of water in this Office on ac-
count of the general Macedonian pre1u-
dice against water for any other use
than as a beverage. 1t is said that the
people of Macedonia battle as often as
they marry, which is only once or twice
in a lifetime. Bathing is thought by
many of the superstitious mountaineers
to be dangerous to health.
The peasants of this country, on the
other hand, are very fond or orna-
mentation. Their wives and daughters
work long hours weaving and embroi-
dering for the town markets, and with
their savings they buy brass belt
buckles and bracelets. The bracelets
often weigh more than a pound, and the
belt buckles-that is, the more coveted
sort are great things ten inches square
and more.
There is an amusing custom OBJ
served in some of the smaller theatefs
of the Macedonian cities which enables
the theatergoer to pay according as ne
is entertained. Between the acts the
actors and actresses make their way
about the house and take collection.
The leader of the band comes first; then
comes the leading lady, ana SO or dowh
the list until the least of the entertain
ers has had his or her chance at the
guests pocketbooks. The actors are
largely Armenians: the plays are most
~ comedies, with the tragedy touch OF
the interludes of collection. Despite
the yoluminous criticisms which aave
been written about the backwardness
of Macedonia, the Macedonian might
boast of having one among the Few no
.els in the world that go in for teaching
their patrons manners There is such q
hotel in Saloniki
Rules of Conduct.
'In a conspicuous place on the walls
of it's bedrooms the following rules of
conduct are displayed to guide the
traveller Alright:
81. Messieurs the voyagers who de-
scend upon the hotel are requested to
land over to the management any
money or articles of value they may
lave. 2. Those who have no baggage
must pay every day, whereas those
Who have may only do so once week.
. Political discussion and playing mu-
ical Instruments are forbidden: also
loisy conversations. 4. 1t is permitted
neither to play at cards. or at any
'ther game of hazard. .. Children OF
antilles and their servants should not
walk about the rooms. 6. 1t is prohib-
ted to present ones self outside ones
Dom in a dressing gown or other neg
igent costume. Z. Coffee. tea and other
preparations may not be pre-
Jared in the room, or procured from
he outside, as the hotel furnishes
one wants 8. Noyagers +.
VINO take InelT TtpdSt utSCcHu u tHC
lining room, with the exception of in
Aids. who may do so in their rooms.
A double-bedded room pays double
or itself. save the case where the
oyager declares that one bed may be
ct to another person. 10. 1t is. how
yer, forbidden to sleep on the floor.
The Macedonian, criticised SO much.
nd often unjustly, has become very ,
ensitiye to faultfnding. He has de-
eloped one all-inclusive excuse for his
ms and failings. and that is his in .
ariable excuse, when blame is placed
pom him, that he has been under
turkish rule for so many, many years.
lie hastens to assure the disgruntled
of this fact often before criti-
ism can find verbal expression.
Exhibition of Cruelty. {,
"He trusses up his pigs for market. =
hiding their legs SO tightly together
hat the thongs bite deep into their I
esh, causing the animal agony while \
n the way to maket and during the
AIT for a purchaser. To the European
-ho demonstrates at this unnecessary
ruelty, the Macedonian peasant, gaz- >
lg with sad tenderness at the suffer-
,g pig answers: But We have. been
, long under the Turks ~,
Another thing that nearly touches tho
-aveler in Macedonia is the extortion- *
te prices he must pay in a land where
IL is naturally cheap. The Jew, the -
reek and the Wlach numerically in
rease their bills, lodging and board
re charged at many times their nor I,
al scales. and scenery. Balkan smells