Zanzibar. 
35 
This population is decidedly mongrel. One section 
is composed of the governing race, the Arabs. It is 
questionable if there are any really pure Arabs, still 
they are sufficiently distinguishable from the other 
peoples to deserve especial mention. There are, of 
course, several classes among them, arising out of the 
difference of tribe, station, and wealth. The better 
class are regarded as the nobles of the land. Phy- 
sically they are often very fine, handsome men ; and 
they sometimes dress superbly. In their manners 
they are gentlemanly and dignified, remarkably self- 
possessed and courteous. But too often they are 
exceedingly self-complacent, supercilious, contempt- 
uous, and overbearing. They are ignorant, bigoted, 
confident, and dogmatical. Possessing considerable 
wealth, and numerous slaves, they are indolent, 
luxurious, and licentious. Though naturally an intel- 
lectual race, their religion, habits, and mode of life 
generally, reduce their intellect to a minimum. 
Of the poorer class of Arabs some are soldiers, 
others porters, traders, or sailors. These are, as a 
rule barbarous, pretentious, noisy, turbulent, harsh, 
heartless, and, when they have the opportunity, cruel. 
The slave trade is carried on to a large extent 
by the Suri-Arabs. They are a wild, untutored, 
remorseless class, just the men for the nefarious 
business in which they are engaged. They are assisted 
largely by men called tende-halua, (dates-and-tofify 
men) or watende-halua (toffy-makers), who entice 
children away by presents of sweetmeats of different 
kinds, then carry them to their vessels, and transport 
them over the seas. 
The Arabs, taken as a whole, are a detestable race 
