Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-05-11

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 n 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 a house or
inclosed city, while the city man con-
graduates himself on his good fortune
In being spared the dangers, inconyeni-
ences and exposures that are the lot
| of the t~ent-dweller.
The life of the latter Is an uncer-
tain one. His tent is homemade, spun
and woven by the ONE of his harem
from goats hair, the accumulation 0f
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 a
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, slep,
on, made ones abode for a time before
it can be thoroughly appreciated ant
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 a s~ojourn In theil
tents. But the desert life is not al
honey by any means, for Is there no
always the danger of attack from thu
nothing-to-lose and all-to-gain mem
bers of society, or the risk of p%erishint
for want of water, or the giving out o.
ones food without the possibility O.
being able to replenish the supply?
When travelling through inland Ara
bia the routine of travel is somewha
arduous. Up with the daybreak an
as soon as possible load the camels
ride for some four or five hours; thel
put down for the first morning meal
which usually consists of dates ant
water; then off again until late in tn
afternoon, when a halt is made for tn
night. Supper usually consists o
warm bread, with an onion or dates II
a relish. Bread is prepared in as sim
pie a as possible. While til
coarse flour and water are bein
kneaded into dough, n large fire |
made which provides n good heap O
hot ashes. On part of these the flat
tened dough Is laid, then covered wit
thu remainder of the ashes. In abou
fifteen minutes the dough is sufficient
~ baked. 1t Is then well beaten I
free 1t from the ashes, broken to piece
and divided among those who fror
their bags have contributed to tn
meal.
Etiquette Strictly Regarded.
After the evening feast coffee