FELLAH (pl. Fellahin), Arabic for "ploughman" or "tiller," the word used in Arabic-speaking countries to designate peasantry. It is employed especially of the peasantry of Egypt, as opposed to the Arabs of the desert (and even those who have settled on the land), the Turks and the townsfolk. Fellah is used by the Arabs as a term of reproach, implying a slavish disposition; the fel lahin, however, are not ashamed of the name and may pride them selves on being of good fellah descent, as a "fellah of a fellah." They preserve to some extent the blood of the ancient Egyptians. They form the bulk of the population of Egypt and are mainly Mohammedan, though some villages in Upper Egypt are to-day almost exclusively Copt (Christian). Fellahin in the Delta are sometimes lighter than Arabs, while in Upper Egypt the prevail ing complexion is dark brown. The average fellah is somewhat above medium height, big-boned, of clumsy but powerful build, with head and face of fine oval shape, cheek-bones high, fore head broad, short flattish nose with wide nostrils and black but not woolly hair. The eyebrows are always straight and smooth, never bushy. The mouth is thick-lipped and large but well formed. The eyes are large and black, and are remarkable for the closeness of the eyelashes. The women and girls are particularly noted for their graceful and slender figures. The men's heads are usually shaved. The women are not as a rule closely veiled : they generally paint the lips a deep blue, and tattoo a floral device on the chin, sometimes on the forehead and other parts of the body. All but the poorest wear necklaces of cheap pearls, coins or gilt disks. The men wear a blue or brown cotton shirt, linen drawers and a plain skull-cap, or on occasion the tarbush or fez, round which sometimes a turban is wound; the women wear a single cot ton smock. The common fellah's home is a mere mud hut, roofed with durra straw. Inside are a few mats, a sheepskin, baskets and some earthenware and wooden vessels. He lives almost entirely on vegetables, millet bread, beans, lentils, dates and onions. Most of the sheikhs are wealthy, and have large houses built of crude brick and whitewashed with lime, with a courtyard, many apart ments and good furniture. The fellah is laborious and loathes mili tary service; hence voluntary mutilations to avoid conscription were formerly common.