386 



THE ARAB. 



upon a ground of leather, cloth, or brocade, dark 

 or scarlet, with the usual metal rings and ' fix- 

 ings.' The Khanjar often costs $200, and a hand- 

 some dagger is a sign of rank. 



Not having seen at home the higher classes of 

 Arab women, who are said to be sometimes remark- 

 ably handsome, I can describe them only from hear- 

 say. In the house they wear tight Mezar, Sarwal, 

 or pantaloons of Oman silk or cotton fastened at 

 the waist with rich tasselled ties brought from 

 Maskat, the Hejaz, and Bandar Abbas : the body 

 dress is a long chemise of Bengal or Surat stuff, 

 worn over a Mkaja or loin-cloth. The hair is 

 plaited into Masuka (pig-tails) or Nyule (curls), 

 and here, as elsewhere, the back of the head being 

 the most sacred part of the feminine person, 

 adults bind round the forehead a kerchief (Nguo 

 ku jitanda) or dastmal of bright- coloured silk, 

 winch depends behind to the waist. Abroad they 

 appear masqued with the hideous black ' Burka 

 veil of Oman, whilst a Rida, Kitambi, or sheet of 

 white calico or black silk, conceals even the dress 

 from prying eyes. A Mavuli or umbrella shows 

 dignity ; some wear sandals (Vyatu), like the men, 

 others Egyptian Papushes. 



The favourite feminine ornaments are Bana- 

 jireh, or Khalkhal, bracelets or bangles, gold, 



