Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/110

 88 NOETH-WEST AFRICA. Besides the civilised Berbers, the population of Ghadames also comprises members of the neighbouring Arab tribes : Suafas, or immigrants from the Algerian Siif, Negroes from West Sudan, and even Fullahs from the Upper Niger. The descendants of the black slaves constitute a separate group, that of the Atriya, who commonly speak the Ilaussa dialect, but do not enjoy full civic rights. A branch of the Azjar Tuaregs encamp in large numbers on a plateau near the south- west side of the town, of which they are the most faithful allies. But for their co-operation all trade relations between Ghadames and the Tsad and Niger basins would be suspended, and in some respects the inhabitants consider themselves members of the Tuareg confederacy. A Targin chief reduced to want is supported at their expense ; and every Targin, whether free or slave, receives hospitality during the time of his residence in the town. But the prevailing influence amid all these diverse elements is Arab culture, although the Arabs themselves are far from numerous fn Ghadames. The traders, all polyglots, and sufficiently instructed to read and write, use Arabic in their correspondence, and their Berber dialect itself is largely affected by words and expressions drawn from the Koran, No traces have survived of the old Berber alphabet, although there is a local system of numeration by fives, by means of which commercial transactions with distant towns can be kept secret. The produce of the surrounding gardens would scarcely suflfice for the require- ments of the seven thousand residents in Ghadames for a single month ; nor do the few local industries contribute much to the wealth of the people, who depend for their support chiefly on trade. Thanks to their relations with most of the markets in West Africa, they had acquired a certain affluence when the Turkish Government began to hamper their relations with vexatious regulations. Like Murzuk and the other intermediate marts between Tripoli and Sudan, Ghadames has lost much of its prosperity since the restrictions imposed on the slave trade and on the direct traffic with Algeria and Tunis. The native dealers, who have to pay the Turkish Government a yearly impost of £10,000, enjoy a high reputation for probity; their word is alwaj's enough, even in the case o£ transactions involving a credit of several years. When a caravan loses any camels along the trade routes kept open by the friendly Ajar tribe, the loads are left on the spot sometimes for over a year, without any danger of being carried off by casual wayfarers. Owing to the unwarlike character of the people, their caravans, like those of the ancient Carthaginians, are always escorted by mercenaries. At the time of Largeau's second visit in 1878, a guard of ten invalided Turkish soldiers sufficed to enforce respect for the authority of the Sublime Porte. On their trading expeditions meeting people of all beliefs — Mohammedans of diverse sects, Christians, Jews, and Pagans — the Ghadamesians have in general acquired a broad spirit of tolerance, although still strict observers of the Melekite rites. Jews, however, are not suffered to settle in the place, probably owing to professional jealousy. No branch of the widespread Senusi confraternity was established in the oasis till the year 1876. Polygamy is rarely practised in Ghadames itself, although the traders have taken wives in the various cities where they have to reside for any length of