'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎668] (767/905)

668
DRESS OF THE MALE ARABS.
[CHAP. XXV.
and suspicious expression, but without the harshness which
belongs to the Mongolian countenance. His voice is rather
effeminate, and does not, therefore, accord with his manly com
plexion, which is a dark brown, tinged with olive. His dress
is probably as simple as it was in the days of Abraham ; and
its form is apparently the same as that which is indicated by
striped cloaks Herodotus. 1 That of the ordinary Bedawin consists of a thick
cloak of moderate width, having, up and down it, alternate
stripes, either of brown or black, and white. Beneath the
cloak, and under a pair of ample cotton drawers, is worn a
thick shirt, of the same material; the drawers are kept in
their place by means of a girdle of embroidered leather, about
three inches and a half broad, containing sometimes a small
curved dagger, with an ornamented hilt; but more generally
only a clasp-knife, suspended by a chord on the right side.
Strong sandals, or coarse shoes, of red, or, more frequently,
yellow leather, cover the feet, and the legs are rarely encum
bered with stockings. Instead of the ordinary turban of other
eastern people, the head and the greater part of the face of the
Bedawin are protected by a yellow striped kerchief, made of
silk and cotton, one end of which is allowed to fall behind,
and two others on the shoulders; the kerchief has a row of
points of the same materials, neatly plaited, by way of border.
The kefiyeh. This head-dress, called a kefiyeh, is kept in its place by means
of a peculiar cord turban, of mixed colours, composed of
camel's hair; the cord is about an inch in diameter, and is
rolled five or six times round the kefiyeh, as near the top of
the head as possible. On his finger are several turquoise
rings.
Summer and In the summer time the Bedawin is content with the cotton
dresses! 118 shirt; while the sheikhs and richer individuals wear, at this
season, a long dress, either of bright-striped silk, or printed
calico. 2 When travelling, an Arab has commonly an abba in
addition. This is a large outer cloak in one, or, at most, two
pieces, and of the simplest make, being almost square, and
having an opening for the neck, with one on each side for the
1 Lib. VII., cap. Ixix.
8 See Plate XXIII.