LIFE IN THE HAREM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIX, 7 May 1898, Page 585

LIFE IN THE HAREM.

A lady who acted as governess to the family of an Egyptian Pasha contributes to the current number of the Humanitarian’ an interesting article on the women of the Hare-in. During a residence of two winters in Egypt, under exceptional opportunities for observation, she says, I never saw the ‘harem’ violated. The veiled female may pursue her avocations; fuel collecting, vending her merchandise, purchasing her family supplies, cooking in the market place, washing clothing in the river or canal, unmolested by the stare, the sneer, the gibe, that too often greets the working woman in other countries; even the female beggar is sacred when shrouded in her torn and tattered veil, clasping her babe to her breast. The independence of the female is recognised in many resi>ects, in particular by her retaining her own name after marriage. One never hears of •Mrs Ahmed.’ or ’Mrs Murad.’ Neither does custom attach the title of the man to the cognomen of the wife. Women are usually entitled ‘Hanouni.’ Our family consisted of the princess, her husband’s sister, a sister of the sister-in-law’s husband, the four children and myself. This number was frequently augmented by female guests, who passed days, sometimes weeks, with us. The table at dinner was tastefully decked, in conformity with European custom with silver, glass, china, linen, and fresh flowers; the viands beingserved through a small sliding panel to the maids who attended the princess and her suite, the butler never seeing the family nor being seen by us. If by chance the panel was left open and the man appeared within range of any lady s face she interposed her napkin between her face and his view until the panel was closed, even the maids stood invisible at one side of the windotv when necessary to speak to the men who served in the pantry. The after ablutions include cleansing the mouth. This is done by thrice filling the right hand with fresh (flowing) water and throwing it into the mouth. The index finger is then introduced on the left side, the upper and lower teeth vigorously rubbed. the thumb then introduced on the opposite side, and the teeth likewise treated, the hands being again thoroughly washed with a liberal allowance of soap and water abundantly poured over them. 1 never

learned to douche my mouth, but retired to my room, where maids ami children frequently witnessed my use of the tooth-brush, hut insisted that their method surpassed mine in thoroughness and antiquity, A spacious marble court connected the two wings of the palace, the larger being sacred to the harem and the smaller being occupied by the paslm. his brother-in-law (the ‘bey’), and several secretaries and professors, a large schoolroom being situated in this wing. Whenever occasion obliged a female to visit this wing she veiled herself with as much precision as if going abroad. The little princess and myself had to obey this rule when attending school. The pasha and the bey had their private apartments on the second floor of this wing, where were also located several other suites of l»ed chambers and dressing rooms, occupied by the children and their mother and aunt. Whenever the husl>and intends to visit his wife he sends an eunuch or maid to notify her. He does not intrude upon her unannounced or unexpectedly. Should his wife be engaged in making her toilet (or otherwise) he waits her pleasure to admit him. I have known the pasha attend thus half an hour while his wife’s maids completed her toilet. The reputed indolence of the women of the harem is quite as mythical as are many of the other legends with which we are familiar. It was not unusual for the princess to supervise ami assist her maids in the early dawn whilst they swept and dusted the immense halls and drawingrooms, she herself rearranging the furniture and draperies, especially the adjustment of numberless Cachmire shawls with which her favourite boudoir was adorned. The morning work accomplished, mistress and maids reposed and refreshed themselves with a calmness foreign to the bustling housewife of colder climes. The sewing women applied themselves diligently. but when the hours of relaxation arrived they played among and with the children in all the abandon of innocent girlhood. Hide-and-seek was their favourite pastime, in whieh I occasionally joined. even the stately sister of the pasha sometimes deigned to quicken her pace in this quest of her hidden niece and nephews when a frolicsome chase would send her to cover in more secluded paths in the lovely gardens and orange gloves where we played.