The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-01-05
w yHAT manner of people con-
AN/ stitute the "body polite"
of the worlds newest king


dom-that of Arabia
forms the subject of a bulletin issued
by the National Geographic society.
The bulletin is based upon the Obser-
vations and experiences of one of the
society's correspondents, who has
spent many years in the near East.
Concerning the Bedouins, the nomadic
class in Arabia whose extensive
camps are scattered over the interior
of the great southwestern peninsula of
Asia, the bulletin says:
OF the BedOuins and the Fellahs
(the settled agricultural class, the
former are the more numerous people
and by far the more interesting. The
Bedouin pities the city dweller because
fate has decreed that he must pass his
days in the confinement of house or
inclosed city, while the city man con-
graduates himself on his good fortune
in being spared the dangers, inconveni-
ences and exposures that are the lot
of the tent-dweller.
The life of the latter is an uncer-
tain one. His tent is homemade, spun
and woven by the women of his harem
from goats hair, the accumulation Of
many years. This tent cloth is water
proof and a good protection against
the fierce sun of the desert. 1t is very
portable and serves for many genera
tons. Each camp has its chief, part
of whose tent is set apart as "A guest
room, In which visitors are entitled to
three days hospitality.
Settles Local Disputes.
The chief 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
being unable to adjust the matter the
disputants must go to the capital and
present their case to the emir. This
they are slow to do, for it means
long journey and absence from home
for an uncertain time, as well as some
amount Of expense. The chief, too, is
responsible 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 Bedouin calls
home has to be lived in, crossed, slept
on, made ones abode for time before
It can be thoroughly appreciated and
enjoyed. The boasting OF the Bedouins
about the free life they enjoy, and
their pity for their city neighbors, con-
fined in their close and dark dwellings,
can be excused after sojourn in their
tents. But the desert life is not all
honey by any means, for is there not
always the danger of attack from the
nothing-to-lose and all-to-gain men,
bers of society, or the risk of perishing
for want Of water, or the giving out of
ones food without the possibility Of
being able to replenish the supply?
When travelling through inland Ara
bia 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 sim
pie a manner as possible. While the
coarse flour and water are being
kneaded into dough, large fire is
made which provides a good heap Of
hot ashes. On part of these the fiat
tened dough is laid, then covered with
the remainder of the ashes. In about
fifteen minutes the dough is sufficient
ly baked. 1t is then well beaten to
free It from the ashes, broken to pieces
and divided among those who from
their bags have contributed to the
meal.
Etiquette Strictly Regarded.
After the evening feast coffee is