THE HABABS— THE BENI- AMERS. I49 



former god, instead of to Allah, and have also ceased to raise mounds over their 

 dead, like the Bogos. They number about 16,000, and are divided into two tribes 

 the " Blacks " and the " Reds." These last, forming the southern division, by a 

 strange contrast, cultivate a blackish soil, whilst the former, or northern division 

 occupy a reddish soil. Their language is identical with that of their slaves, the 

 conquered Tigré, who possess no rights, in spite of the precepts of Mohammedanism, 

 which confers the title of brothers on all the faithful. On the death of a Marea 

 the head of every Tigré family is bound to present a cow to his heirs. The 

 Mareas exceed all other races in aristocratic pride. Death without defence is the 

 only punishment they will receive, for they refuse to humble themselves by 

 appearing before any tribunal and offering any excuses for their conduct. If the 

 blood of the tribe is sullied by an illegitimate birth, father, mother, and child are all 

 destroyed. 



The Hababs. 



North of the Mensas and Mareas are the Az-Hibbehs or Hababs, pastors 

 wandering over the mountainous plateaus bounded east by the Sahel plains of the 

 Red Sea, and west by the Barka Valley. These people also are connected with the 

 Abyssinians by their language — which, like the Tigré, is a Ghez dialect — as well as 

 by their traditions. They were Christians, at least in name, down to the middle of 

 the nineteenth century, but on adopting a nomad life they also conformed to the 

 religion of the surrounding tribes. Divided into small republics, their only wealth 

 consisting of cattle, the Hababs roam amongst the surrounding mountains and 

 plains in search of water and pastures. During the winter the lonely Nafka 

 plateau, which may be considered the centre of the Habab country, is completely 

 abandoned to the wild beasts. 



Nevertheless, the remains of buildings and graves disposed in three or four 

 circular stages prove that this region was once permanently occupied. These ruins 

 are attributed to the Bet-Maliehs, or " People of the wealthy abode," a small tribe 

 believed to be of aboriginal extraction. Like the Habab people, the elephant of 

 this region is also nomad ; during the winter rains its herds frequent the 

 eastern slopes of the plateau bordering the Sahel, in summer returning to the 

 Nafka heights on their way westwards to the Barka Valley and the slopes of the 

 Abyssinian mountains. 



The Beni- Amers. 



In the lowland districts north, west, and east of the Hababs dwell the Beni- 

 Amers, who appear to be of mixed Abyssinian and Beja origin, speaking a dialect 

 half Beja, "Bedouin," and half Tigré, locally known by the name of Hassa. 

 Amongst the Nebtabs of the Sahel — all nobles, and recognised as such by their 

 neighbours — both languages are also current. The Abyssinian element is more 

 strongly represented according as the Beni- Amer tribes approach the great plateau, 

 and those living in the plains of Samhar, near the Mensas, speak Tigré almost 



