THE, TROGLODY TENS OF SOUTHERN TUNISIA 
805 
oe 
Photo by Lehnert & Landrock 
SEREE LE SCHNE NEAR -GABES 
be photographed with her great chum, 
Aiescha, and her small brothers. 
Pushing open a door made of palm- 
tree boards, we entered the sheik’s cave. 
(It took one hour and a half to take the 
photograph printed on page 819.) The 
cave was white-washed. To the left is 
a wooden chest and a gun, one of many. 
Back of the gun is a stand cut out of 
the rock, and the dark object is an oil 
lamp—the form dating back to the Greek 
and Roman days. The white object in 
the center is a bedstead cut out of the 
rock, and there are comfortable mat- 
tresses filled with wool, and native blan- 
kets or rugs. Above the bedstead is a 
sort of cupboard, where one can put 
snuff, matches, or anything one likes. 
To the right are large oil and water 
jars. At the back of the cave are cous- 
cous covers, the largest one having come 
from Ghadames. These covers and cous- 
cous plates are highly prized and very 
ornamental. Above the plates and covers 
is a Persian picture and an Arab alma- 
nac. When Mohammed had to flee from 
Mecca, 622 A. D., that date became the 
first year of the Mohammedan calendar, 
and=tsacalled = lecire:2 
THE WOMAN'S STATUS IN THE HOUSEHOLD 
The wives of the sheik live in a cave 
similar to this next to it, and so do the 
sons and their wives and children. The 
question of rent is not of great impor- 
tance. When a youth is strong enough 
to carry a gun and take care of some 
sheep or goats, or manage a few camels, 
he takes to himself a young wife. 
When a man marries he has to give 
to the parents of his future bride a gift. 
These gifts may vary according to the 
tribe and country. In the mountain 
ranges around Foum ‘Tatahouine and 
the Troglodyte villages and towns he 
gives four goats and two kids, four 
