246 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



very subordinate place. On the other hand, the Arab treatment of slaves is more enlightened. 

 The latter are regarded as members of the family. They dress like their masters, and are 

 not obliged to wear any badge of inferiority. They may acquire property, and, like the slaves 

 of ancient Eome, may buy their freedom with their savings. 



In matters of art the Arab has not a very wide scope. He is restricted by the Prophet's 

 command not to imitate any living thing. It is due to this that geometrical lines are the 

 usual form of decoration, and very effective they are in all "Arabesque" work e.g. the 

 Alhambra Palace. He has a genuine love of colour, which he displays on every possible 

 occasion. The earthenware pottery of which his scanty household utensils water-jugs and 

 coffee-cups are made is often handsomely decorated, and is a favourite subject for his 

 artistic skill. 



In his courtship the Arab often displays a great deal of gallantry, though the chances for 

 meeting and looking upon the face of his beloved one are exceedingly few. Europeans express 

 their devotion by languishing and sighs. The Bedouins show the ferocity of their nature 

 in their love-making. They have been known to cut and slash themselves severely, just 



to prove the reality and 

 deptli of their affections. 

 As might be expected, 

 the town-dwelling Arabs 

 are more temperate in 

 their outward demonstra- 

 tions. This the Bedouins 

 attribute to the de- 

 generacy resulting from 

 a settled life. The Arab 

 marriage ceremony is 

 simple. In the female 

 compartment of her 

 father's tent the bride is 

 decked out in her wed- 

 ding finery, previously 

 provided by the bride- 

 groom. Mounted on a 

 camel and accompanied 

 by her female relations, 

 she is conducted to the 

 camp of her husband. 

 The young companions of 

 the wedded pair indulge 

 in dancing, and other 

 sports and festivities are 

 kept up for some days 

 before the bride and 

 bridegroom are allowed 

 to settle down to married 

 life. They are then 

 escorted home, and 

 "marriage by capture" 

 survives in a sort of 

 pantomime which is per- 

 formed on this occasion. 

 Wives arc generally 



lu bit Ltkcf/iun tfc Co.] 



( aim. 



AN ARAB MOTHER AND CHILD 



