'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎45] (60/1050)

ADEN
45
in the remoter parts of the hills the men bind a mere strip of cloth tightly round their
heads, comb their hair out and tie it in a fuzzy bunch at the back of their heads. The
custom of tying the ' fatila,' or slow match, round the turban is dying out, as match
locks are replaced by rifles.
It is usual to go barefooted, but for long distances on the stony hill-paths simple
leather sandals are used.
Every men carries either a rifle or a matchlock, or a spear and all wear the jambi'a,
a broad curved dagger, in the waist cloth ; those of well-to-do people are handsome
with chased silver sheaths. Men, who own rifles, wear a waist bandolier with car
tridges.
The women wear a loose robe with wide sleeves, generally dark blue, but sometimes
green or red, embroidered round the collar and down in the front and back, and tied in
at the waist by a sash of similar material, the embroidered ends of which hang down
in front. They wear a dark head cloth, which falls gracefully over the shoulders. They
often cover their faces and bodies with a yellow powder made from the * war as*
or bastard saffron, and 'Hurd' {Hindustani Haldi) as a precaution against fever. On
occasions they paint their faces with designs in narrow black lines, and some daub
their cheeks with a greasy pigment of a vermilion hue.
Their chief food consists of bread made from wheat or millet; 6 asid,' a thick porridge
made of flour with 4 soman' (ghi, or clarified butter), and boiled goats flesh, or a soup
called 4 maraq.' Fowls and eggs are regarded as luxuries. As vegetables they take
onions, garlic, carrots, and radishes.
They drink coffee at all times, generally a concoction from the husk, called 4 qishr *
flavoured with ginger.
The men smoke a great deal, using ordinary hookhas, and either Indian tobacco,
known as 'surati ' or country tobacco, called 4 Ttanumi ' which comes from Mukalla
and elsewhere, and the best quality of which is called 4 arifi.
All who can afford it are addicted to chewing 4 icat*
There are no regular doctors, but some Saiyids profess a knowledge of alchemy
and the use of herbs as medicines, and dispense extracts from the Koran as charms.
Barbers bleed and cup and perform circumcision. In the rainy season, when fever is
prevalent, a common cactus called 4 kassas ' is chopped up and mixed with food as
a purgative.
For ulcers, which are very common, effusion from leaves are used, and a brass plate is
bound firmly over the sore. For aches and pains it is usual to sear the patient with
a hot iron.
Sanitary arrangements are wanting. Latrines even in the best houses are merely
projections from the wall in the upper story, the filth being allowed to accumulate
telow.
The religion of the country is that of the ShafT sect of the Sunni Muhairmadans
The masjids are kept with care, and the hours of prayer generally observed. Shrines,
are very numerous, every section of the population having one to which it is specially
devoted. The shrines are either to a revered ancestor, or to some patron saint of ancient
tradition. The position of mansab ' in charge of a shrine is an honoured one, and is
generally hereditary. The more sacred shrines are centres of pilgrimage.
All joyous occasions are celebrated by feasting, slaying bullocks or sheep or goats,
and eating 4 ]zaV
Any solemn compact between tribes and individuals is sealed by the killing of a goat
in the name of the Almighty*
The Arabs are punctilious in matters of etiquette. A Shaikh always receives any
visitor of distinction with the 4 tashira? or a salute of guns, with ball cartridges as
a rule ; and he would consider himself slighted, if the visitor did not accept his hospitality
for at least a night. The ordinary mode of greeting between friends is to clasp and kiss
tie back of one another's hands. An inferior greeting a Shaikh or Saiyid will bend low
ai d kiss him on the knee, and head, and even on the back.
There are many local peculiarities of dialect, and the language differs in many re-
epects from the Arabic of Egypt»