We find all these species of weapons in the ancient paintings of Nin eveh, which show how the bow was used in hunting and in war, how it was stretched, and how carried when not in use (p1. 106, 2; fig. r, the wall-paintings). We also observe quivers filled with arrows and strapped to the back; feathered arrows are seen on the corpse lying on the ground, an empty quiver at its side (p1. 106, fig. 2). This latter varies greatly from the modern quivers of the Somalis (p1. Tor, fig. 11), whose long arrows are also feathered, but whose points have numerous barbs. The Tuarick sometimes poison their arrows.
The broadswords are also ancient; they were carried by the Assyrian warriors in their belts (p1. 1o6, fig. 2), as they are at present by the Tuarick (N. 100, fig. 4), the Nubians (p1. 9S, fig. 5), the Gallas, and the Arabs. The two last-named nations have swords with curved blades (p1. 96, fig.
p1. 104, fig. 12), as also have the Abyssinians (pl. 9S, jig. 6, in the back ground on the wall behind the pillar); but the straight ones are also in use (p1. 99, fig. I).
The spears serve for piercing, and are frequently three metres (1 inches) in length; they are also found in the ancient periods (p1. tot, 2, 12; /V. 103, jig. 5; pl. Ar. r); under the point they sometimes have barbs (N. 102, jig. 3, the third figure to the left). Shorter spears, as car ried by the Tuarick (p1. moo, fig. 4) and the Arabian (p1. fig-. 10), serve as javelins. Some Nubian tribes have clubs (pl. 99, fig. 6), and the trum bash, in the shape already known to us (p. 343; p1. 99, figs, 4, 9), is used by the Nubians, who have probably adopted it from the south.
Long or circular shields serve as arms of protection, the former among the Berbers, the Tuarick, the Fundshes 102, fig. 4), the Nubas ("5/. 9S, fig. 5), and the Wakuafi, and of almost the same shape as the Caffir shields (comp. pl. 9S, fig. 5, with pl. 85, fig. 9), except that those of the Fundshes have a recess in the centre for the hand; those of circular shape, for merly used by the Assyrians (pi. io6, figs. I, 2, below to the right), are at present used by the Gallas (6/. 96, fig. 1; pi. IoI, fig. 2) and the Abyssin ians (pi. 98, fig. 6, on the wall behind the pillar). Among some Arabic tribes a kind of helmet of matting is found 99, fig. 15), and the pointed caps of the Assyrian warriors (p1. io6, fig. 2) are probably war dresses. Among the Tuarick (61. Jot), fig. 4), the Bisharis (p1. fig. 5), the Somalis col 101, fig. 2), and the Arabians (pl. 104, fig. 8; pl. to5, 7) we see fully-equipped warriors. The latter cuts exhibit the frequent
use of the gun.
IT North Africa the wars, which are generally cruel, are mostly conducted by raids and for booty. The Gallas are notoriously cruel, and the Abyssinians and other tribes are little less so. With the exception of the Arabians, and perhaps the Gallas, Berbers, and Tuarick, they can scarcely be called brave, as is evinced by their manner of war fare, by their surprises (comp. pl. 105, fig. 7), and by their speedy flight in open battle. When in passion they perform incredible deeds of valor and foolhardiness, as the histories of Carthage and Jerusalem testify. The great wars of the Arabians and the brave resistance of the Kabyles are also based on similar passionate excitements, either of a religious or patriotic character. In this respect their similarity to the Negroes be comes again apparent.
Family the whole, the women occupy a high rank. How ever, the Berbers (and also the Syrian sects) believe them to have no souls, and polygamy prevails everywhere; yet the women of the Tuarick, who go about unveiled, but are perfectly moral, are well treated by their husbands. Adultery, which rarely occurs, is punished with death. It is considered an honorable thing for the wife to have several male friends who pay her special attentions, who act as much as possible according to her pleasure, and who are always at her side, but whose intimacy never degenerates into anything improper. Among the African Arabs also woman occupies a high position, and the same was the case in ancient Egypt, while, on the contrary, the modern Egyptians and the inhabitants of the cities of Nubia are said to be exceedingly immoral.
The Berabra and Bisharis and the rural inhabitants of Nubia are differ ent: among them the women are free, but strictly moral; polygamy is rare, and marriages are binding and durable. The Abyssinians present a con trary picture. Although Christians, and as such obliged to practise monog amy, they live in polygamy through extensive and public concubinage. Polygamy is allowed among the Gallas, but the men are generally satisfied with one wife, while the Wakuafi take many wives. It will be seen from the pictures of the women in our illustrations that they are not badly treated, in spite of the infibulation there practised. Among the Gallas the girls get a dowry; in other places in Africa the woman is purchased from the parents, as among the Asiatic Semites; among the ancient Hebrews, and at present among some Negro nations, a poor man might earn his wife by his labor.