INTERIOR COUNTRIES OF AFRICA. . 1£5 



The complexion of the Fezzaners is a deep brown ; their hair is 

 Dlack and short ; their form of face such as may be termed regular, 

 and their nose less flattened than that of the negro. They are but 

 of an ordinary stature, and their limbs are by no means muscular. 

 Their mien, walk, and every motion and gesture denote a want of 

 energy either of mind or body. Their dress consists of a shirt or 

 frock, made of a coarse linen or cotton cloth brought from Cairo, and 

 coarse woollen cloth of their own manufacture, called abbe. The 

 middling classes wear frocks made at Soudan of dyed blue cloth. The 

 richer people and the Mamelukes of the sultan are clothed in the 

 Tripolitan habit; over which they wear a soudan shirt of variegated 

 pattern and colours, and likewise the abbe. The ornamental distinc- 

 tions of dress are chiefly confined to the head-dress, and to rings on 

 the arms and legs. The women of distinction divide their hair into 

 curls or tresses, to which they fix pieces of coral and amber, and little 

 silver bells. They also fasten to the top of the head silver cords on 

 which are strung a number of silver rings, which hang on each side 

 pendent to the shoulder. The meaner women wear merely a string 

 of glass beads, and curl their hair above the forehead into large ring- 

 lets, into wnich severally is stuffed a paste made of lavender, caraway 

 seeds, cloves, pepper, mastich, and laurel leaves, mixed up with oil. 

 The women of Fezzan generally have a great fondness for dancing, 

 and the wanton manners and public freedoms which, although Ma- 

 hommedans, they are permitted, astonishes the Mahommedan travel** 

 ler. The men are much addicted to drunkenness. Their beverage 

 is the fresh juice of the date-tree called lugibi, or a drink called busa, 

 which is prepared from dates, and is very intoxicating. 



The commerce of Fezzan is considerable, but consists merely of 

 foreign merchandise. From October to February, Mourzook is the 

 great market and place of resort for various caravans from Cairo, Tri- 

 poli, Soudan, and companies of Tibboe and Arab traders. The cara- 

 vans from the south and west bring to Mourzook slaves of both sexes, 

 ostrich feathers, tiger skins, and gold, partly in dust, and partly in na- 

 tive grains, to be manufactured into rings and other ornaments for the 

 people of interior Africa. From Bornou copper is imported in great 

 quantities ; from Cairo silks and woollen cloth ; and from Tripoli fire- 

 arms, sabres, knives, 8cc. 



Fezzan is governed by a sultan descended from the family of the 

 shereefs. His power over his own dominions is unlimited, but he 

 holds them tributary to the pasha of Tripoli. The tribute was for- 

 merly 6000 dollars, but it is now reduced to 4000; and an officer from 

 Tripoli comes annually to Mourzook, to receive this sum, or its value 

 in gold, senna, or slaves. The throne is hereditary; but the crown 

 does not in all cases, descend directly from father to son ; the eldest 

 prince of the royal family succeeds, perhaps a nephew in preference 

 to a son who is younger. This custom frequently occasions contest 

 and bloodshed. The sultan's palace or house is situate within the cas- 

 tle or fortress of Mourzook, where he lives retired with no other in- 

 mate but the eunuchs who wait on him. His haram consisting of a 

 sultana and about forty slaves, is contiguous; he never enters it; but 

 the female whom he at any time wishes to see is conducted to his 

 apartment. The apparel of the sultan on days of state and ceremony 

 consists of a large white frock or shirt, made in the Soudan manner, 

 of stuff, and brocaded with silver and gold, or of sati.n interwoven with 



Vol. II. B b 



