THE ETHIOPIAN RACE. 



209 



than the common Arabs of the country ; for instead of stealing, they 

 would work, and if required, the whole night long;" and from his 

 having had much experience at Aden, having even suffered pecu- 

 niary loss through a Somali, I have thought his opinion entitled to 

 consideration. 



At Mocha, the Somali women had monopolized the most laborious 

 avocation of Muslim countries, that of water-carriers. At night, they 

 all retired to a village, apart from the Jewish suburb, and consisting 

 of thatched houses; some of which were in the African style, cylin- 

 drical with a conical roof. 



On visiting this village, the women were found to perform most of 

 the work for the support of the family ; as is the custom with the 

 Feejeeans; and various other points of resemblance were recognised. 

 The unmarried women were in like manner designated by an ob- 

 vious sign; not indeed by flaxen hair, (which was here worn only by 

 the men,) but by the head being altogether destitute of a covering. 

 Great pains were always taken by the women in dressing their hair ; 

 which was sometimes braided into fine cords, and in some instances 

 these cords were united at the ends. 



On one occasion, 1 witnessed a wedding-dance; which, contrary to 

 the custom of the Fellah-Arabs of Egypt, was conducted exclusively 

 by the women; and indeed, it resembled the Egyptian ceremony 

 only in the clapping of hands. The music consisted of three drums ; 

 each beaten by two female performers. The other women danced, 

 two or three at a time, in the middle of the circle, with somewhat en- 

 ergetic, but not very graceful movements. It was evident, from the 

 marks of designation above-mentioned, that early marriages are not 

 customary among the Somali. 



A principal branch of female industry among these people, con- 

 sisted in the making of matting from leaves of the Doum palm ; and 

 a variety of articles of this material, were offered in the market. The 

 plait, was the same that is figured on the Egyptian monuments. The 

 only colours were dull red and black; both of vvliich are common 

 among the Feejeeans, and appear also to be aboriginal in Northwest 

 America. The Somali boys brought to market, ropes or halters for 

 camels, of very neat workmanship. 



The men. were not seen engaged in any occupation; though their 

 province was doubtlest: to procure fish, and in their own country, to 

 attend to the flocks. A small species of anchovy is taken abundantly 

 at Mocha, and dried for the Java market. Quantities of these fish 



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