NABIAJS (THE MODERN SHECHEm), THE ONLY HOME OF THE SAMARITANS TODAY 



The town nestles in the valley which lies between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. 

 The picture is taken from the lower slopes of Gerizim, near Ras el Ain, while Mount Ebal 

 is seen in the background (see map, page 46). 



Ebal. The streets are picturesquely nar- 

 row and most of them are paved with 

 cobble-stones, with here and there an arch 

 thrown across and supporting a room 

 above. 



THE HOME CITY OP THE SAMARITANS 



In the "souks," or markets, as in most 

 Syrian towns, the stores are so small that 

 the customer stands outside to examine 

 the meager display of European and na- 

 tive (Damascene) wares. Here are rows 

 of silversmith shops, where the artisans 



work cross-legged, producing from crude 

 silver elaborate ornaments for the peasant 

 women. Here are the coffee shops, the 

 street in front blockaded with men sitting 

 upon low stools, sipping the thick, hot 

 beverage from tiny cups and smoking the 

 long, red-piped, bubbling narghile as they 

 gossip and play a game of "tawla." 



Next are the sweetmeat venders, from 

 whose stalls large trays of "kanafie" pro- 

 trude into the street. This pastry dish, 

 for which Nablus is noted, has a filling of 

 fresh, sweet cheese. After it is baked, 



