MOROCCO'S FREE BERBERS.

North Otago Times, 8 January 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

MOROCCO'S FREE BERBERS.

Tho capturo by tho bandit Baisult of Sir Horry Kaid Maclean, tho Sultan of Morrocco'a military adviser, has again drawn public attention to tho troublous kingdom of Northern 'Africa, l but much as Morocco has been written about of late years it is doubtful if more than a very few of those who read, and indeed write, of it know exactly what kind of a place it is. For tho most part they nro content to assumo thlt tho Sultan rules, or tries to rule, a wild and turbulent kingdom,'and then turn to political considerations. As a matter of fact, tho Sultanas writ runs only in about.one-fifth of the country, nominally under his control. Tho inhabitants of the rest of tho country aro practically solf-ruliffg and independent. They aro the remains of an ancient, indeed prehistoric, civilization, retaining to this day many of tho habits and customs of tho long-forgotten past. The narrow strip of land called the Bled-al-Maghzen, or "field of tho military," lying along the Atlantic sea-board, forms tho sole territories of tho Sultan of Morocco, the Shoreef of Marra-Kesh. Tho population of tho towns is'mostly made up of Arabs, Berbers, negroes, and Jews.

The open country of tho Sultan's slender realm is occupied by military trlbes.s Tho main bulk of tiie Moroccan terrftories, extending south of tho Sahara and east of tho Algerian borders, is called tho "Fields of the Free," and justifies its name by tho fact that it" is inhabited by free and independent tribes of antiquo nnd of hardy raco, who havo never yet been conquered by any Sultan of Morocco. Tho words most frequently in their 'mouths are "freedom" and "honour" and the old Spanish sensitiveness to a point of honour is characteristically Kabylo. Many of theso tribes have Celtic or northern features, and are frequently blonde. These mountain clans aro not Arab, but Berber.

Tho word Berber describes a group of races, descended from, white-red, and to & small extent dark ancestors, who were either autochthonous or invaders of prehistoric times. They speak varying dialects of the same language, . which bears a family resemblance to the tongue of the Pharaohs.

Thoro are many evidences that in prehistoric times these peoples were bound together in the same civilization, which reached a high stato of culture and endowed them with many common ideals, traditions, and customs. There are to be found in these lands traces of human skill not to bo accounted for by any known history, the remains of constructions and of sculptured rocks recalling tho Aztec ruins. These traces of a civilization long ago lost to past ages, to a time, perhaps, beforo Atlantis lay at the bottom of tho sea.

Many religions have successively swept over these old races, but without materially altering their own ideals, or their own antiquo laws, called "khanouns." Their 'social organization and their political constitution cannot fail to surpriso tho European who visits these- people and has an opportunity of observing their customs.

Tho Dled-es-Sida, or "Field of the Free" is littlo known to the traveller. It is doubtful whether so many as a dozen Europeans have ever penetrated its mountain strongholds, These tribes lack nationality in tho broad sense. Within the clan or "kcl" their sense of solidarity is extreme. In the "ait" (meaning confederation "of tribes) they stand together as ono man, either for peace or war, for friendliness or for rcvengo. Tho word "Kabyle," used in northern Morocco and Algeria to denote Berber, is Arabian, and means "federal league,"

Each village ("taddert") forms a small Independent republic. All free men, rich or poor, above the age of fifteen are citizens, with equal political niul civil rights. N All persons of kin form together the family group, called the "knrouba." The citizens of all the karoubas of a village form the assembly, called "geman" or "aufaliz," meaning "council" in old 'Amgigh tongue, the language of the Berbers from antiquity. The nufnliz or gemnn, being composed of all the citizens, is (he repository of all political administrative and judicial powers. The aufaliz is presided over by an Amin, elected for a short tenure. As this oflko confers great honours, but brings no salary, and entails heavy expenditures, it is given to men who are well to do. The aufaliz sits once a week, but can be called for any extraordinary matter. Decisions are made by a majority. The aufaliz can also transform itself into a court of justice, As such it pronounces upon all violators of honours, all acts "judged unworthy of a free man," breaches of hospitality, and nil other acts, which could affect the dignity and wcllbcing of society. If a citizen becomes too rich he is allowed to retire from business to allow younger and less fortunate men a chance and to prevent the power of riches from endangering the equilibrium of society.

Penalties pronounced are generally financial, but enn include banishment Public whipping is considered debasing both to him who gives and him who takes, and though practised by the Arabs, is never employed by the Berbers. Death sentence is pronounced for high treason only. Assassinations and other crimes touching more nearly the family or knrotiba are not judged by the assembly, but are left to bo punished by the family ns the knrouba. Adultery or seduction is punished by death. Murders are, considered a debt of blood, to bo paid by blood, On account of tho strong solidarity among the citizens, pauperism nnd death from starvation arc practically unknown.

During the groat famine in Algeria the people in the plains among (he Arabs died by thousands. Tho French Government, was unable to cope with the situation, and an exodus took place towards the mountains of Kabylos, whose villages were overrun by tho starving multitudes. The thrifty Berbers were unable to succour and save them all.

Tho Berber loves the soil and isskilled as an agriculturist, and also as a worker in gold, silver, iron, leather, or wood. He is, in contrast to the lazy, dreamy Arab—a lover of work, practical, a great laugher and funmakcr, a good business man, curious to learn, and fond of being astonished,

The position of women among Berbers dilTors from their position nmong any other Oriental people. All Berber women go unveiled. Polygamy is rnrn nnd is more an innovation of Jfohnmme.'lnnism or Jhsnism than one of their own radical customs. Tho'wlfo is still paid for with a price of money or goods. When a father spends Iho marriage price, received for his daughter, they say he is "eating his daughter." The married woman is regarded with great respect, nml enjoys full freedom and supreme iiiitlinrlty in all mailers of the hniisrHn!i|, If hru. Hilly uvniwl by Iter lumhnml. *hu Imx lln' right in ink f»'- •■•'■ i' ' ' |iim'it!fli owl- liy ilhi wle fan ni Iht

rovolt she regains her freedom, .and Is divorced upon demand. As a widow cither by divorce or by the death of her husband, she remain! free to deal with men as equal to. equal, and shares,all their privileges, except the civic rights and duties. Berber women are well proportioned, often beautiful of mould.as wpll as of feature. Their; dress is composed, first of two long, straight pieces of white linen caught together r on tho shoulders with beautifully wrought or jewelled fibulae, and bound low over the hips by a rich belt of metal or silk with long ends. Over this, at tho back, is sometimes worn another drapery of silk or wool, held together across the hroast by large clasps. Theso garments arcoften ornamented with ..flno needlework.

Tho headdress is of silk of various hues. Over tho cars hang largo pendants or finely-wrought discs of metal, jowolled or of silver set with coral and gold. Depending from theso aro sometimes linked ornaments falling down tho neck or shoulders. Tho ankles, stained with henna, arc ornamented with anklets. Tho costumo of the ordinary woman is of like character, but simpler in ornamentation and jewels. Tho Berber women uso pigments and unguents in tho toilet and have tho curious . habit that if nature has given them red or blondo hair, thcji dlo it •deep black with a preparation of henna.

South of Sfogodas soveral agricultural communities live in groups of four or five families in a fortified castle of stone, built in a square, with towers at opposing angles. These castles aro surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge, In tho face of any great common danger all the tribes form a confederation under direction of one of their strongest men. . In olden times tho head of those confederations was called "Amokfhan." In war timo the confederated Iribes send young men volunteers, who dedicate themselves to death and form a body of fighters called tho "Imessebelcn" ("vowed to death "), Before setting forth to battle, prayers for tho dead ore repeated over them.—"Tho Woekly Budget." )