Page 381 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

342 TRAVELS IN OMaN. [ch

CHAPTER XXI.

Entertainments—Evening Festivals—Author's ineffectual at­
tempts to gain admission to—Ardent Spirits—Drunkenness—
how punished by the Imam—Manufactory of Wine—Gaming
—Divination — Love of Swinging — Musical Instruments —
Martial Music—Feast of the “ Aid"—War Dance—Condition
of the Inhabitants—Dress—Offensive Arms—Shields—Food-
Person and Ornaments of the Women—Sprightliness—Anec­
dote—Freedom of Arab Females—Sheikh Government—Civil­
ization.
t
The inhabitants of the oases and towns are

very fond of giving entertainments to each
other, which are sometimes continued for
three or four days. Contrary in their feelings

to other Orientals, they are by no means in­
sensible to the charms of natural scenery, and

their guests are usually received in light
buildings, (summer-houses we should style

them) detached from their own dwellings,
and often picturesquely situated beneath the

shade of mangoe or tamarind trees. Within
these they pass the day in feasting, and the