CHAP. III. 
OF THE TUARICK. 
113 
smaller than its neighbour, which may be about the size of 
Sockna. 
Ghraat is built partly on a plain, and partly on a steep hill side. 
It is closely surrounded by high mountains, which are perfectly 
barren : the plains are not sandy, but gravel. The Sheikh is there 
called Sultan, and his name is Bel Gassem. He receives but a 
precarious revenue, and that only from the settled inhabitants, 
who are called Ghratia. The Tuarick show no respect to him, and 
pay no duties. They are generally wanderers, leaving only a few 
of each tribe in the country ; but they never settle any where else. 
They are of the tribes Heggar,^la=-, Booghrasaten, ^UyLy, Men- 
ghraata, and Haioon, ^^jc- ; which last people are famed for 
sanctity, and there are but few of them who have not performed 
the pilgrimage to the Holy House. They are settled in the country, 
and seldom go to the negro kingdoms to trade. The Sultan has 
not the power of life and death ; cannot alter or make laws ; and is 
directed by an assembly of the elders of the people, who always try 
offences of a criminal nature, and then submit their sentence to 
him for his approval. He cannot even resolve on any measure of 
importance without first obtaining the permission of those elders. 
Neither in his dress, mode of living, or habitation, is he distin- 
guished from the common people ; and he walks about and trades 
by himself without attracting any notice. The Sultanship is here- 
ditary, and not being a very desirable office, occasions no wars for 
the succession. 
The Ghratia allow strangers to sit and converse with their wives 
and daughters, who seldom are known to abuse the liberty allowed 
them. They are said to be fine looking women, and inclined to corpu- 
lency. These people are reputed to be rich, from their constant trade 
with Soudan, and from having no one to deprive them of their 
gains. Provisions of all kinds are exorbitantly dear. The dates are 
Q 
