Page:Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894.djvu/167

Rh brother) daughter. A woman may not marry her brother, father, grandfather, uncle (father's brother), brother's or sister's son, all relatives from the mother's side are considered as relatives not unlawful in marriage.

Question 11. Are all women married, or do many remain unmarried?

Answer. The Mohammedan Fellahin are all married, as far as I know them; at least I have not met with any old maid. But amongst the Christian Fellahin now and then a case may happen. This is probably owing to the system of polygamy, and the facility of divorce. Whilst the Christian fellah, bound to keep one and the same wife for life, is more disposed to "pick out" his future companion, the Moslem is allowed to divorce, and takes his cousin—though ugly or even crippled—firstly for economy's sake, and secondly because he regards the wife simply as a vessel made to bear him children. The Moslem woman, in consequence, rarely remains unmarried—no matter at what price.

Question 12. Are the women beaten by the husbands?

Answer. As a rule, yes. It is even considered a shame by many not to do it. She is considered as inferior, and has to receive a well administered flogging from time to time. But from this it does not follow that the man always absolutely commands in the house. On the contrary, the fellah-woman is just as often—virtually—the head of the family, and differs in nothing from woman in the rest of Creation. She at least influences her husband, in most cases for all things, not only in the house, but in all matters affecting their common weal. She is interested in the agricultural business—looks after the herds and herdsmen, animals and servants. I have known many fellah-women to manage everything a good deal better than the husband, and even scolding him to some degree for any mismanagement, or teaching him what to say in the men's assembly. But, notwithstanding this, she did not escape a good flogging occasionally. Yet it does not follow that the fellah-woman is to be pitied in being considered an inferior being. She enjoys her life and liberty to a certain extent, at least in many instances.

Question 13. Are the men always obliged to pay a dower for the wife?

If site misconducts herself, is the dower returned to the man when she is divorced?

Answer. As a rule they are obliged to pay, either in money, or in goods of some kind, animals, lands, or the equivalent sum—as ransom for a murdered relative—in lieu of the dower. The amount of the dower paid depends, as already remarked, on the degree of relationship; the nearer the relative the smaller the dower. So also the beauty of the bride, the age; a widow certainly is not worth as much as a maiden. Again, her rank; if her relatives are rich or from a sheikh's family, the price is higher, beginning with 2,000 piastres—£16 and up to £100 or more.