GAZA--THE KEY OF SYRIA
Gaza--the outpost of Africa, and the door of Asia--is situated in the
south-west of Palestine, and is only about twelve miles to the north
of Reifah (formerly Raphia), which marks the Turko-Egyptian boundary,
running down to Akaba. Who founded the city is unknown! It is the
commercial and administrative centre of all the surrounding sixty-two
villages, and for many of the Beduin tribes who pitch their tents
in the plains. The area of Gaza is about 2,100 square kilometres.
The present city is about two miles from the sea,[44] and lies on an
artificial mound which is about 100 feet high above the plain, and 180
feet above the sea-shore. Five minarets break the outline of the flat
roofs. There are no scavengers.
The encroachment of the rolling dunes of sand is one of the most
serious evils now to be dreaded on the coast of Palestine. Nothing is
done to arrest this enemy around Gaza.
The trade and commerce of Gaza are almost exclusively confined to the
gathering in and exportation of barley, which is grown on the plain of
Philistia, and in the neighbourhood of Beersheba. The majority of the
inhabitants of the city and district obtain their livelihood from this
trade alone. The widespread olive-grove to the north and north-east,
however, creates a considerable manufacture of soap, which Gaza exports
in large quantities.
The soil is very fertile, but its productiveness is entirely dependent
on the rainfall, and in consequence the yield of the crops greatly
affects the general condition of the people. The most primitive methods
of cultivation are still in general use.
The climate is sub-tropical, and upon the whole healthy. Eye diseases,
however, are very prevalent. Malaria and other tropical diseases are
also common.
The chief exports besides barley are wheat, millet, and colocynth,
while a coasting trade is carried on in "tibn" (chopped straw) and a
coarse black pottery, which is the principal manufacture of Gaza, where
there is a good market for it. The poor people of the district buy it,
and exchange it for cereals and other articles.
From at least 727 B.C. Gaza has been famous for its potteries, of which
there are now forty-two within the city. The same method of producing
this pottery is used to-day as depicted upon the Egyptian monuments.
This manufacture was called "Gazaitæ."[45]
The only other manufactures are a common kind of soap, and cloth,
consisting principally of the coarse woollen coats ('abaï) worn by the
men. There are also mills for the expression of sesame oil, and for
grinding corn.
Cotton goods, and most of the articles necessary for wear, or luxury,
are imported. The chief imports from Great Britain are unbleached
calicos, which are used by the fellahin for clothing. They are dyed
blue locally. Aniline dyes are imported from Germany. The average
yearly value of the yarn imported into Gaza and Mejdel from Manchester
is £10,000. The imports are mostly brought from Beirût or Jaffa by
small coasting craft, or overland by camels.
The average orange crop of late years has been good. The fruit is
excellent. It is better than that of Jaffa, both in taste and in size.
Eight thousand boxes were exported, chiefly to Great Britain, in 1910
(valued at £8,000). These orange gardens are gradually increasing,
their present number being about twenty. The soil is rich, and
excellent for the purpose.
Gaza has no harbour, or any convenient facility for shipping cargo.
A pier was constructed in 1906, but it proved a complete failure, on
account of its being inadequate to meet the need. It should have been
built 120 yards longer. In 1909 the violence of the waves during that
winter destroyed about one-third of it.
There is a good deal of surf in the summer, and steamers are often
delayed fourteen to twenty days before obtaining their cargo. No
regular steamers touch this roadstead, and it is only in summer that
these vessels (mostly British) visit it. There is no lighthouse.
It is at this point that the ancient maritime suburb of Mayoumas stood,
the concrete remains of which are still visible on the shore.
The population is about 70,000, including the surrounding villages. The
fellahin form the bulk of the population--mostly of the poorer classes.
The non-increase of population is due to the bad harvests of the last
few years. In consequence of the drought in 1905, 15,000 of the city
and district, chiefly of the poorer classes, migrated to Jaffa, Haifa,
Acre, Nazareth, Damascus and Egypt, owing to the exactions of the
Government, and the high rate of interest demanded by the Effendis to
whom they were indebted. This exodus is only a temporary misfortune.
The population of Gaza is said at one time to have outnumbered that of
Jerusalem.
The road-tracks between Gaza, Jaffa, and Beersheba are badly in
need of repair. In places the sand is very heavy, especially in the
summer-time. A road tax is levied, but no road has been improved for
many years.
Gaza is in a state of lethargy for about nine months out of twelve,
until the middle of April, when the barley crop is cut, because
most of the inhabitants earn their living by the barley trade. In
consequence of much idleness during this slack period, drunkenness is
not an uncommon vice. The wealthy merchants buy at harvest-time large
quantities of barley, which are generally exported or stored, until the
prices in Great Britain and Egypt are high, when they sell to British
and other purchasers. The poorer traders pitch small tents in the
neighbourhood of the city, and among the Beduins, to whom they sell
clothes, sweets, coffee, and other articles, taking barley in exchange.
When they have secured a sufficient amount, they sell it either to the
agents of the European merchants, or to the native merchants of the
city. Any one who visits Gaza in June and July will be astonished to
see the large quantities of barley heaped upon the sea-shore, awaiting
the arrival of steamers.
The building of the Government hospital, talked of for so many years,
has been begun, but it has, so far, made little progress.
No banks are permanently established in Gaza. All money transactions
are carried on through the banks of Jaffa.
There is a growing desire for male education. The citizens, in
September 1911, enthusiastically encouraged a public performance of
_Hamlet_, on behalf of a native Muslim school. It was a first and
successful attempt of the kind.
Many Jews have been making inquiries with the view of purchasing land
in this district, and especially over the boundary at Reifah.
Meyer says that during the Hellenistic period the Jews resorted to
the Gaza fairs. Frequent mention is made of these fairs by Rabbinical
authorities. In fact the fairs at Gaza were always famed throughout
Palestine.
Until the last seven years the numerous hordes of 100,000 Beduins
within the Beersheba district were under the government of Gaza. They
swarm the desert towards the south in the winter months, and then move
northwards, up the Philistia plain, for herbage.
Even in Christian families, until about thirty years ago, slaves were
sold in Gaza.
The cattle of Gaza are few, and there is scarcely any export. Camels
are common. They number approximately 6,700, including those of the
surrounding villages and Beduins. Sheep and goats number approximately
171,000, together with those of the near villages and Beduins. Oxen
number approximately 10,000 in and around the city. They are chiefly
used for ploughing. Horses and mules and donkeys are not numerous, but
the former have an excellent reputation throughout Palestine. Carriages
usually belong to Jaffa, and carry back in eleven hours passengers
from Gaza. The first motor-car, owned by a German from Jaffa, reached
Gaza during April 1912, accomplishing the journey in three hours, and
returning the same day.
Jackals and foxes are numerous. Quails arrive from Egypt in July and
August.
FOOTNOTES:
[44] Gaza, like Athens, was purposely built _inland_, for fear of
pirates.
[45] There are seven allusions to potters and potteries in the
Old Testament, three in the New Testament, and four in the
Deutero-Canonical Books. An excellent photograph of the potter at his
wheel is contained in Forder's _Daily Life in Palestine_, Ch. VII.,
Marshall Bros., Ltd., 1912.