JOURNAL RELATING TO NUBIA. 427 



syllables, accompanied with a rise and fall of voice that is not dis- 

 agreeable. 



In speaking of the government, law, and religion which prevailed 

 among them, I may observe, that although the cashief claims a 

 nominal command of the country, it extends no farther than sending 

 his soldiers to collect the tax or rent called ?niri. The pasha of 

 Egypt was named as sovereign in all transactions from Cairo to 

 Assouan. Here and beyond, as far as I went, the reigning Sultan 

 Mahmood was considered the sovereign, though the cashief's power 

 was plainly feared more. 



They look for redress of injuries to their own means of revenge, 

 which in cases of blood extends from one generation to another, until 

 blood is repaid by blood. On this account, they are obliged to be 

 ever on the watch, and armed, and in this manner even their daily 

 labours are carried on. The very boys go armed. 



They profess to be followers of Mahomet, though I seldom observed 

 any ritual parts of Islamism practised by them. Once, upon my 

 endeavouring to make some of them comprehend the benefit of 

 obedience to the rules of justice for the punishing of offences, instead 

 of pursuing the offender to death in their usual manner, they quoted 

 the Koran to justify their requiring blood for blood. 



The dress of the men is a linen smock, commonly brown, with a 

 red or dark coloured skull-cap ; a few wear turbans and slippers. 

 The women have a brown robe thrown gracefully over their head and 

 body, discovering the right arm and breast, and part of one thigh 

 and leg ; they are of good shape, but have ugly features. Their 

 necks, arms, and ankles are adorned with beads or bone rings, and 

 one nostril with a ring of bone or metal, a kind of ornament, which 

 has always been adopted by the women of the East. * Their hair is 

 anointed with oil of cassia, of which every village has a plantation. 

 It is matted or plaited in a manner similar to that observable on the 

 heads of sphinxes, and the female figures of their ancient statues. 



Isaiah, iii. 2 1 . speaks of the " nose jewels," and Ezek. xvi. 1 2. — See Lowth in locum. 



3i 2 



