Africa . imits of Ghadames inthe north to the borders of the Fellatah states and Boniuin the Sudan. They are also frequently met with in theneighbourhood of Murzuk in Eastern Fezzan. Some ofthese tribes cover a wide expanse of country and are verypowerful; but they live in a constant state of hostilityamongst themselves, one tribe speaking of another withgreat contempt. The Tuareg are of large build and well shaped, alto-gether the finest race of men in this portion of dress is extremely varied, the more westerly tribeswearing a close-fitting garment, while others adopt wideflowin
Africa . imits of Ghadames inthe north to the borders of the Fellatah states and Boniuin the Sudan. They are also frequently met with in theneighbourhood of Murzuk in Eastern Fezzan. Some ofthese tribes cover a wide expanse of country and are verypowerful; but they live in a constant state of hostilityamongst themselves, one tribe speaking of another withgreat contempt. The Tuareg are of large build and well shaped, alto-gether the finest race of men in this portion of dress is extremely varied, the more westerly tribeswearing a close-fitting garment, while others adopt wideflowing robes. The material is mostly the dark-blue,almost black, Kano cotton. Characteristic of them isthe Litham or Tessilgemist, wound twice round theface in such a way as to cover eyes, mouth, and chin,protecting these from the blown sands of the desert, andleaving nothing exposed except the middle vi bhe Eaee 96 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL. with the tip of the nose. The shawl is tied in a TUAREG BEHBEHS. The hair, either cut short or forming a pigtail, remainsuncovered on top, and the beard sometimes peeps outbelow. Sandals are worn only on the borders of thedesert. A complete leather costume seems also peculiarto some tribes. Those to the east wear a leather bag-attached to a leather belt, and those in the west a daintylittle pouch round the neck, in which they keep twine,thread, pens, pipe, and tobacco. Freemen carry a very long straight sword, a daggersuspended to the left wrist, a spear six feet long, often THE CENTEAL SAHARA. 97 supplemented by a musket. They speak a Berber dialect,which is said to vary very little throughout their country,and they profess Islamism, about which, however, theyknow very little. They are extremely superstitious, ontheir neck, arms, legs, breast, and waist wearing amuletsand little pouches containing verses from the Koran ascharms and talismans. The predominant passion is a love of finery and ofwomen, but the tribes of purer
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Keywords: ., bookauthorkeaneaha, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1878
