Life in Egypt.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 25 February 1916, Page 3

Life in Egypt.

EXTRACTS FROM “ THE DESERT RAG.”

In speaking of Egypt, one must take into consideration, the fact that the population is divided into two classes, the upper and lower classes. The upper class represented by 90% of Christians following European customs and 10% of Maliommedans, who mingle the customs of both. The lower class consists entirely of the worshippers of Mahomet.

We shall commence with the habits and customs of the upper class. The mode of dress adopted by the Christians, notably .Parisian fashions, is of recent introduction, and to the strarger visiting Egypt, it is, at first, a rather difficult matter to distinguish between the native Christian and the European. However, when one has lived in the cities for a short period, the difference is clearly apparent, in the case of the native, by the preoccupied manner in which he walks the streets and the peculiar habit of low speaking as though conscious of the difference in caste. The life adopted by this class is almost identical with that of the European. The upper class Mahommedan combines the customs of the native and the European. The dress is a curious combination of the native and Parisian fashions. It consists, in the case of the fair sex, of corset worn over a voluminous fringed robe of some black material, an arrangement which reminds one of the harem skirt. The headgear consists of a hood to which is attached the long white veil of transparent silk which covers the lower portion of the face. This attachment is suspended by a gold ring from the bridge of the nose. Excepting this matter of dress their habits and manner of living, practically coincide with those of the Christian.

The lower class is by far the more interesting to the stranger. The mode of dress adopted by the woman is similar to that of the upper class, but is, of course, made of inferior material. The white veil worn by the upper class, is replaced by a black lace veil, reaching to the feet and suspended in the same manner as before mentioned, but that the ring is composed of silver or among the very poor people, brass or even tin. Like the N.Z. Rifle Brigade, they subsist on very little; vegetables—lentils, beans, mallow etc. —forming their diet. Meat is eaten weekly. The family, using their fingers in lieu of knife and fork, eat from the one dish. Regarding sleeping accomodation, the mother and daughters sleep in one room, all being covered by one blanket only. Matting covering the floor takes the place of a mattress. Father and sons share one room in like fashion. So suspicious is the Mahommedan of his womenfolk, that on no account will "he allow his young son accompanied by his daughter, out of his sight. The marriage rites are very peculiar and interesting, although some of the customs are revolting and unfit for publication in a paper of such fastidious taste as the Rag. The mother chooses the bride for her offspring, the son having no option in the matter of choice, a decidedly unsatisfactory custom from a New Zealanders point of view. The groom is on no account, permitted to see his bride before tho ceremony. For one week prior to the date of the marriage, great festivities are held, both friends and the general public being invited. These dances, tournaments etc are continued until two days after the ceremony, friends and the public in general being feasted between sunset and midnight during this period. On the day of the ceremony the bride leaves her parents domicile to the accompaniment of firing of guns.

She is attended by a company of young girls v ho support poles to which is attached a cage-like construction made of mosquito netting obscuring her from the public gaze. On reaching the bridegrooms residence, everyone but relatives and very intimate friends depart. After marriage the wife is treated by her husband, as a slave and for the most trivial offence may be divorced ; for instance, if ordered by her sire to bring him a drink of water, which she refuses to do, he may by repesffing “My God ” three times obtain a “ decree absolute,” no witnesses being required. I would suggest that this custom be adopted by the N.Z. people—it would save court costs. On market day, the husband, riding a camel or donkey, is accompanied by his wife, who following on foot, is compelled to keep pace with the animal. A man is permitted to keep four wives ; but as before mentioned may easily divorce and marry again, so keeping his establishment up to its full strength.

If, after divorcing a wife, he repents of his action, he may with the assistance of a trusted friend regain her by adopting the following procedure. A marriage will be arranged between his friend and his divorced wife, and after the contracting parties co-habit for the brief period of twenty-four hours, the marriage becomes binding. He is now entitled to claim his divorced wife as his wife ; but if she does not consent and prefers the trusted friend, complications arise by which the friend has no option but to retain her as his wife. Rather a risky proceeding for the trusted friend. What! What!

“ At Homes, ” at which visitors are first served with a thimble of coffee, then banqueted are given monthly, On the death of some highly respected villager a great commotion and weird singing is heard, w T hich to the unitiated is likely to produce a creepy feeling. On hearing this the deceased friends assemble at hi* domicile, the men in a large tent, the women within the house and if the death occurred in the evening, this assembly keep up a wailing chant until midnight ; if the death occurred about midnight; until daylight. This proceeding is repeated every day for seven days, with the assistance of a women called “ Naddbh ” engaged to beat the drum and lead the singing. A large fire is built round which this Naddbh with six women assistants, who faces are plastered with wet clay beat their faces in time to the singing, until nearly twice the ordinary size. On the fortieth day after the funeral a great assortment of cakes, meats etc is carried to the grave, where they are distributed to the poor collected around the graveside. This is repeated on the same date the following year. While the Christian is buried in a coffin, the Mahommedan is merely wrapped in a blanket, as it is religious belief that two angels Naker and Nakir visit the dead after the burial and carry their spirits away to heaven, and that if buried in a coffin these angels would be unable to carry the spirits from the box. Quite one of the most novel and interesting sights of Egypt is the “Sham il nassim,” the name given to the day after the Resurection. On this day practically the whole Mahomedan population journeyed to the river where everyone has a Path (with a great number, their annual) and afterwards take partin the big festivities. The Bedouins (Wandering Arabs) who live in tribes in the Sahara Desert, tending their herds of goats, and their camels, are very seldom seen in the towns excepting on market dav, when they bring in their wool and produce, but from information gathered, it appears they are a very treacherous race and one to be reckoned with, as, if any treachery is mediated, one word from their chief “ Senoussi,” who claims to be a descendant of Mahomet, and the whole race flock to the colours, death being the penalty for refusal.

One could write a volume on this subject, but lack of space necessitates cutting the article short —I can only hope that these few notes will interest our friendk in N.Z.