_Kingdom of Bornou_.
[Illustration]
The Shouaa Arabs are a very extraordinary race, and have scarcely any
resemblance to the Arabs of the north; they have fine open
countenances, with aquiline noses, and large eyes; their complexion is
a light copper-colour; they possess great cunning with their courage,
and resemble in appearance some of our best favoured gipsies in
England, particularly the _women_; and their Arabic is nearly pure
Egyptian.
The best residences of the Shouaas consist of two enclosures, besides
one for their horses, cows, and goats. In the first of these divisions
is a circular hut, with a cupola top, well thatched with gussub straw,
something resembling that of the Indian corn; the walls are of the
same materials; a mud wall, of about two feet high, separates one part
from the rest, and here their corn is kept; and a bench of like
composition, at the opposite side, is their resting-place; this is
covered with mats; and spears and wooden bowls for water and milk,
hang on pegs, and complete the furniture; here is the master's own
apartment. In the second division are two huts, rather smaller, about
ten paces from each other, in which dwell his wives.