DRESS OF THE MOORS. 
lor 
addressed by any name but that of slave. In shorty there 
is no species of vexation, which they are not obliged to 
endure. 
The Moors leave the banks of the river, when the rainy 
season commences, that is at the beginning of August ; for 
not only would they be greatly incommoded by the inunda- 
tions, but they would also be exposed to many diseases 
which they occasion, and their cattle would be devoured by 
the mosquitoes. They remove to the N. E., to the confines 
of the great desert, where they find plentiful pasturage, and a 
salubrious cUmate, and are free from the inconveniences 
which they would suffer in the vicinity of marshes. They 
return towards the river when the waters retire, and reside 
there from March till August. 
The dress of the wealthy Moors consists, in a drah, or 
tunic of Guinea cloth, which reaches nearly to the knees ; 
the sleeves are as wide as the body and hang down to the 
ground. Loose drawers containing six or eight yards of 
Guinea cloth come down to their knees ; a pagne completes 
the dress j this is put on over the tunic, and sometimes on 
their heads also, Ukc a turban. Those who cannot afford a 
tunic, wear only a coussabe* made of two or three yards of 
Guinea cloth. 
The Moors shave all the hairy parts of the body except 
the beard, which they suffer to grow and hold in great vene- 
ration. A fine beard is the greatest ornament of a Musulman. 
The dress of the woman is half a piece (about seven 
yards) of Guinea cloth, which they wrap three times round 
them. With one end, consisting of about one third of the 
stuff, they make a kind of coussabe, doubling the stuff down 
and sewing it so as to leave three holes, one for the head, and 
* A coussabe is a piece of cloth two yards long and three quarters 
wide, doubled and sewed together, with holes left for the arms at the top. 
Another opening is left for the head ; so that it is a sort of shirt without 
sleeves. 
