The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-11-30
THE CITIZENS OF A
NEW KINGDOM
What Manner of Citizens COnsti-
tute the Body Polite" of
Arabia.

| headquarters of the National Geographic
Society. The bulletin is based upon
the observations and experiences of
one of the society's correspondents who
has spent many years in the Near East.
Concerning the Bedoins, . the nomadc
class in Arabia, whose extensive camps
are scattered over the interior of tie
great southwestern peninsula of Asia
the bulletin says:
Of the Bedoina and the Fellahs, (the
settled agricultural class the former
are the more numerous and by far the
more interesting. The Bedoin pitIes
the city dweller because fate has de-
creed that he must pass his days in the
confinement of house or enclosed city,
while the city man congratulates him
self on his good fortune in being spare
the dangers. inconvenience and eX
posures that are the lot of the tent
dweller.
The life of the latter is an uncertain
one. His tent is home made, spun and
woven by the women of his harem from
goats hair, the accumulation of many
years. This tent cloth is waterproof
and good protection against the fierce
sun of the desert. 1t is very portable
and serves for many generations. Each
camp has its chief, part of whose tent
is set apart as guest room, in which
visitors are entitled to three days hos
pitality.
The chef gives the order to move
camp and decides on the new pitch.
Local disputes are referred to him for
settlement and in the event of his beng
unable to adjust the matter the dis
putants must go to the capital and pre-
sent their case to the Emir. This they
are slow to do for it means long jour
ney and absence from home for an un-
certain time, as well as some amount of
expense. The chief, too, is response
bic for the good behavior of the people
in his district and for the return of the
tax due from the tribe
The desert which the Bedoin calls
home has to be lived in, crossed, slept
on, made ones abode for a time be-
fore it can be thoroughly appreciated
and enjoyed. The boasting of the
Bedoins about the free life they en-
joy, and their pity for the city neigh
| hor- - thn,r oloca apI do ri
dwellings, can be excused after a So
journ in their tents. But the desert
life is not all honey by any means, for
is there not always the danger of at
tack from the nothing to-lose and all
to-gain members of society, or the
risk of perishing for want of water, or
the givlng-out of ones food without the
possibility of being able to replenish
the supply?
When travelling through Arabia the
routine of travel is somewhat arduous.
Up with the daybreak and as soon as
possible load the camels; ride for some
four or five hours; then put down for
the first morning meal, which usually
consists of dates and water; then off
again until late IN the afternoon, when
a halt is made for the night Supper
usually consists of warm bread with
an onion or dates as a relish. Bread
is prepared in as simple a manner as
possible. While the coarse flour and
water are being kneaded into dough a
large fire is made which provides a
good heap of hot ashes. On part of
these the fattened dough is laid, then
covered with the remainder of the
ashes. In about fifteen minutes the
dough is sufficiently baked. 1t is then
we'll to free it from the ashes. broken
in pieces, and divided among those who
from their bags have contributed to
the meal.
After the evening feast coffee is
made by some member of the party and
in tiny cups handed round to each one,
as much regard being paid to etiquette
as if all were assembled in the most
spacious guest-room in the largest city
in the country.
Conversation never lags, and until
late in the evening the men talk, some
telling imaginary stories. others re-
citing impromptu poetry, until, tired
out, all except those designated to keep
watch roll up in their large cloaks and
are soon asleep.
"Most of the houses of Arabia are
built of sundried bricks; many of them
are three stories high, and all have fiat
roofs. AS rule the interiors are quite
devoid of furniture, the coffee rooster.
FOUNDER. pots and sups being about all
that is visible that savors of daily life
and needs. Many of the houses are
doorless. accounted for by the scarcity
of suitable wood.
Wherever people are found in the
Arabian peninsula with the most limit
ed number of milk giving animals, such
as sheep, goats, OF camels, there will be
| found the national substitute for the
lard of the Occident, or the olive oil of
other lands, very favorite production
of 'semmin'. This is butter which is