AN EGYPTIAN FEAST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 235, 15 December 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN EGYPTIAN FEAST.

\ BRITISH TOMMY GOES OUT TO , •'TEA" True, the native Ramadan, or period 1 of fasting, was in full swing. But was not mv host a Copt, or native Christian? Also, he was the Mudir of a small village! not many miles from Minich, in Upper Egypt. This Mudir holds a position somewhat relative to a: Town Councillor or Magistrate in England or Scotland. Christian he may have been, hut excepting his religion he does not differ greatly from Ins Mohammedan countrymen. Some time previously I had assisted him in a small way an interpreter, and he, having decided it was the correct thing to do, invited me ''out to tea.' What a splendid opportunity, one would think, to escape from the daily routine of bread and bully! But I had heard something about these native feasts, and my information did not at ali enhance the prospect of a real good "blow out." In anw case, I thought discretion the better part of valour, and accordingly decided to accept his "farmed on Saturday afternoon at the station nearest his residence, and having previously wired him, was me by mine host and two stalwart ga: or native policemen, armed. It must be understood that the natives.in thes-out-of-the-way villages are rather hostile to Tommy Atkins when alone. We • ventually arrived at my host s residence, .whiah was a standing in its own grounds 1 was ushered into what h drawing-room, ana was invited to wash m Now" as I had not the tion of the usual customs at these native feasts, I was in rather a fix Anvway, I decided that if I followed my host I should not go far wrong, bo 1 played a waiting game so to speak. My host washed his hands, and I followed suit. a era in I followed suit. He then took off his flowing gown and replaced it with another gown, which left nianv-ooloured coat guessing. _ time I was beaten. But I did the next best thing, and removed my puttees. Then we marched into the dinin„ room, and got down to our muttons, or rather what proved to be our mysteries. Natives' here do not use tables, you may guess I didn't feel at all comfortable squatted down on a divan. The first course appeared to be chicKcn "giblets," but having had a guessin o- competition with myself and taile to name the mystery, my liost infemed me in his best English that t *as "toasted bread in oil done. One cvf vthes/3 was quite sufficient, and 1 waited for the next. Remember, 1 had, been starving myself nearly, so that i could do justice to whatever delicacies were going, and I was feeling rather disappointed. The next course was turkey, which was more satisfying. After this came another mysterious affair, which turned out to be stewed da AU this time I had been using my fingers, as my host had done During all the courses I had noticed a, faint smell of what might havu been incense. Then finally came the dessert, wluctt included grapes, bananas and oranges ali home grown, lo these delicac es mv host added raspberry syrup. i must admit that this dish was to be appreciated. Then the native butler brought in a huge brass washstand, and from an earthenware jug poured waitr over my hands. This indicated that the feast was at an end. I was then escorted round the orchard, wlucn consisted of all kinds of fruits, both English and tropical. But it was to in'o curious that there were no flowers whatever in this fruit-laden orchard. As it was time for my departure J •was again escorted to the station, and while waiting for the train, my host assured me that I would be welcome ,ii- any future time. 1 have forgotten to mention the conversation, which did not amount to much, as my host was a very poor speaker of English. I l>ebelieve if he had spoken Arabic, 1 would have understood him better. It was only on my way home that 1 remembered that dicing the whole course of the afternoon I had not seen one of hi., womenfolk. This might seem "•surprising, but it was due to the fact that the social position of the gentler sex in the Land of the Pharaohs u to tally different from that held by our more fortunate women. All the same 1 was rather disappointed, as he had frequently told me of his wile and i | three beautiful daughters. • | In concluding I should like to erc•i iihasise the fact that we British sol- ! diers in Egypt are being treated as • honoured guests by all the educattd > and modernised Egyptians, *till T am . afraid that, in spito of the attractions, I ] shall think twice before again ac- : nt-pting an invitation to a feast.