Page 197 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

158 TRAVELS IN OMAN. [CH.

;
“La ilia illella, Mahomuda rusoul Allah”*
he then awakens those around him (for in
the Desert, as on board ship, they usually

sleep in groups), and invites them to join in

his prayers, which he most commonly begins
with a verse from the Koran, intimating that
prayer should be preferred to sleep. Their

first repast, called “ el moza,” is taken shortly
afterwards. If with a Sheikh, our breakfast

consisted of coffee, boiled rice, fish, and ve­
getables : but the poorer classes are content

with dates and coarse bread. The former have
also a mid-day meal, called “el sady,” con­

sisting of meat dressed in a variety of ways,
and fruit: but the principal meal, with all

classes, is that at sunset, called “asshar,” with
those who can afford it. Our dinner consisted

of a lamb or sheep boiled whole, and stuffed
with rice and spices, dishes full of ribs of
mutton, soups and curries. Neither chairs

nor tables are in request here; the several

articles being brought in, and placed on cir­
cular mats upon the floor. Around these the
company seat themselves cross-legged, with­

out regard to any rules of precedence: some

* “No God but the God; and Mohammed is his Prophet. ’