TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 177 



On the Tribes composing the Population of Morocco. 

 By Lieutenant Edward Sciilagintweit. 



This paper was read by Mr. Hermann Sciilagintweit, who stated that his brother 

 El war J, First Lieutenant in the Bavarian Army, had joined the Spanish forces 

 during their iate campaign in Morocco. Subsequently he had made a second visit 

 to Morocco in furtherance of certain scientific purposes of his own, when he received 

 the most valuable assistance from the well-known British Resident in that country, 

 Mr. James Drummond Hay*. 



The principal population of Morocco, the Moors, are a mixed race, deriving their 

 origin partly from the Berbers and partly from the Arabs. They form the most 

 numerous section of the inhabitants of the towns. Their complexion is compara- 

 tively fair, not unlike that of the inhabitants of Southern Europe, while the colour 

 of their hair is various, comprising both light and dark shades ; the form of the face, 

 as well as of the figure in general, betrays a tendency to stoutness. With regard to 

 character, but little can be said in the way of praise. Like most Orientals, the 

 Moors are false and covetous, grovelling in the lowest servility before their superiors, 

 and full of arrogance and cruelty to those below them. This race took very little 

 part in the late war, while the following ones showed themselves as possessing much 

 greater energy, and capable, under proper guidance, of quitting themselves well in 

 active service. 



The various tribes of the Berbers or Brabers must hi considered as the original 

 inhabitants of this district. They were found already in possession of the country 

 on the arrival of the Romans, as appears from the geographical terminology used by 

 the latter in reference to these parts. The interesting work of "Al Hasem" of 

 Granada — better known under his name, when a Christian, of "Leo Africanus," — 

 shows, moreover, that during their conquests in North-western Africa (650-700 

 a.d.) the Arabs were frequently engaged in conflict with these primitive tribes. 



Like the Fellahs in Egypt who have succeeded in preserving the ethnographical 

 type of the ancient inhabitants, so here also it occurs that, in spite of the many 

 changes in the dynasties of the country, the pure type of the Berbers is still repre- 

 sented by a considerable proportion of the population. They chiefly inhabit Mount 

 Atlas and its spurs, but have also extended themselves as far as Fez, Mekinez, and 

 the towns along the sea-coast. 



In Morocco two principal tribes of the Berbers can be distinguished : the 

 Shlockhs, who are settled in villages and towns ; and the Amazirgens, forming a 

 migratory and unsettled population. 



The Kbilas (Kabiles) and the Shayvas in Algiers must also be considered as be- 

 longing to the Berber race. In person they are thin, but sinewy; their hair brown, 

 occasionally reddish, and with those from the southern provinces rather dark. 

 Though in general character not unlike the Moors, they are a much more active 

 people, are good cultivators of the soil, and make hardy soldiers. One tribe in par- 

 ticular of the Berbers, the Hudnyas, have played an influential part at various 

 times in the military history of Morocco. Like the Ianichars, they formed a strong 

 and formidable guard, though often in opposition to the government ; but were at 

 last disbanded and scattered throughout various cantonments of the country. 



The Riffers inhabit the mountain ranges along the Mediterranean, which begin 

 at Tetuan and reach to Cape "Tres Forcas." Confined as they are to their almost 

 inaccessible mountains, they form a distinct and well-marked race, their language 

 even differing considerably from the Arabic. There are six principal tribes into 

 which they are divided, — the Ghoniaras, Aksenayas, Bukone'a, Tems'manes.Gvelayas, 

 and Kebdanas. They are almost entirely independent of the Emperor of Morocco, 

 the small yearly tribute paid to him being offered rather to the head of their church 

 than to their Emperor. The greater part of them are robbers and pirates ; and, in- 

 deed, in the late war, when posted in the town of Tetuan for its defence, they 

 exercised their native calling with a zeal and cruelty which considerably accelerated 

 the surrender of the place. 



The Siis race. These tribes approach the Negro type in respect of complexion 



* During his stay in the country Mr. Edward Sciilagintweit took many facial and cranial 

 casts, besides making numerous detailed measurements. 



1860. 12 



