GLIMPSES OF EAST AFRICA AND ZANZIBAR 



white; indoors they always wear a velvet skull cap, 

 neither the men nor women ever going with heads 

 uncovered by day or night. Some of the younger 

 ones wear a grey felt with brim rolled back to the 

 crown. The women still retain their national dress 

 in Zanzibar. They wear a white kerchief over 

 their head and hair, in olden days showing no hair, 

 now, showing half the head in front with the hair 

 smoothly parted in the middle ; it always seems 

 nice, dark, shiny hair. Their dress consists of a 

 bodice, something like a European's, and silk trou- 

 sers, then an outer dress of silk, six yards long, edged 

 with some pretty velvet, bead, or sequin trimming ; 

 it is folded round the waist, covering the lower 

 limbs, then thrown over the head and down over 

 the right arm. It is always a mystery to me when 

 I see them walking in a strong wind how they 

 manage to keep it in its proper place. They usually 

 possess a number of jewels and are very fond of 

 them. One sees them walking out in their court 

 shoes ; the richer ladies have satin ones to match 

 their dresses for driving. The children of the 

 Parsis of Zanzibar dress like Europeans, usually with 

 a velvet skull cap beaded, but often with ordinary 

 hats ; or small boys and little girls wear a loose silk 

 overall. Parsis generally are noted for their kind- 

 ness, generosity, and benevolence towards others 

 less well off than themselves ; they build many 

 public institutions and subscribe liberally to funds 



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