the zincali-第15章
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of Mahomet; still they would have been known as foreigners; and; on
that account; would have been assuredly attacked by the people of
the interior; had they gone amongst them; who; according to the
usual practice; would either have massacred them or made them
slaves; and as slaves; they would have been separated。 The mulatto
hue of their countenances would probably have insured them the
latter fate; as all blacks and mulattos in the dominions of the
Moor are properly slaves; and can be bought and sold; unless by
some means or other they become free; in which event their colour
is no obstacle to their elevation to the highest employments and
dignities; to their becoming pashas of cities and provinces; or
even to their ascending the throne。 Several emperors of Morocco
have been mulattos。
Above I have pointed out all the difficulties and dangers which
must have attended the path of the Gitanos; had they passed from
Spain into Barbary; and attempted to spread themselves over that
region; as over Europe and many parts of Asia。 To these
observations I have been led by the assertion that they
accomplished this; and no proof of the fact having; as I am aware;
ever been adduced; for who amongst those who have made such a
statement has seen or conversed with the Egyptians of Barbary; or
had sufficient intercourse with them to justify him in the
assertion that they are one and the same people as those of Europe;
from whom they differ about as much as the various tribes which
inhabit various European countries differ from each other? At the
same time; I wish it to be distinctly understood that I am far from
denying the existence of Gypsies in various parts of the interior
of Barbary。 Indeed; I almost believe the fact; though the
information which I possess is by no means of a description which
would justify me in speaking with full certainty; I having myself
never come in contact with any sect or caste of people amongst the
Moors; who not only tallied in their pursuits with the Rommany; but
who likewise spoke amongst themselves a dialect of the language of
Roma; nor am I aware that any individual worthy of credit has ever
presumed to say that he has been more fortunate in these respects。
Nevertheless; I repeat that I am inclined to believe that Gypsies
virtually exist in Barbary; and my reasons I shall presently
adduce; but I will here observe; that if these strange outcasts did
indeed contrive to penetrate into the heart of that savage and
inhospitable region; they could only have succeeded after having
become well acquainted with the Moorish language; and when; after a
considerable sojourn on the coast; they had raised for themselves a
name; and were regarded with superstitious fear; in a word; if they
walked this land of peril untouched and unscathed; it was not that
they were considered as harmless and inoffensive people; which;
indeed; would not have protected them; and which assuredly they
were not; it was not that they were mistaken for wandering Moors
and Bedouins; from whom they differed in feature and complexion;
but because; wherever they went; they were dreaded as the
possessors of supernatural powers; and as mighty sorcerers。
There is in Barbary more than one sect of wanderers; which; to the
cursory observer; might easily appear; and perhaps have appeared;
in the right of legitimate Gypsies。 For example; there are the
Beni Aros。 The proper home of these people is in certain high
mountains in the neighbourhood of Tetuan; but they are to be found
roving about the whole kingdom of Fez。 Perhaps it would be
impossible to find; in the whole of Northern Africa; a more
detestable caste。 They are beggars by profession; but are
exceedingly addicted to robbery and murder; they are notorious
drunkards; and are infamous; even in Barbary; for their unnatural
lusts。 They are; for the most part; well made and of comely
features。 I have occasionally spoken with them; they are Moors;
and speak no language but the Arabic。
Then there is the sect of Sidi Hamed au Muza; a very roving people;
companies of whom are generally to be found in all the principal
towns of Barbary。 The men are expert vaulters and tumblers; and
perform wonderful feats of address with swords and daggers; to the
sound of wild music; which the women; seated on the ground; produce
from uncouth instruments; by these means they obtain a livelihood。
Their dress is picturesque; scarlet vest and white drawers。 In
many respects they not a little resemble the Gypsies; but they are
not an evil people; and are looked upon with much respect by the
Moors; who call them Santons。 Their patron saint is Hamed au Muza;
and from him they derive their name。 Their country is on the
confines of the Sahara; or great desert; and their language is the
Shilhah; or a dialect thereof。 They speak but little Arabic。 When
I saw them for the first time; I believed them to be of the Gypsy
caste; but was soon undeceived。 A more wandering race does not
exist than the children of Sidi Hamed au Muza。 They have even
visited France; and exhibited their dexterity and agility at Paris
and Marseilles。
I will now say a few words concerning another sect which exists in
Barbary; and will here premise; that if those who compose it are
not Gypsies; such people are not to be found in North Africa; and
the assertion; hitherto believed; that they abound there; is devoid
of foundation。 I allude to certain men and women; generally termed
by the Moors 'Those of the Dar…bushi…fal;' which word is equivalent
to prophesying or fortune…telling。 They are great wanderers; but
have also their fixed dwellings or villages; and such a place is
called 'Char Seharra;' or witch…hamlet。 Their manner of life; in
every respect; resembles that of the Gypsies of other countries;
they are wanderers during the greatest part of the year; and
subsist principally by pilfering and fortune…telling。 They deal
much in mules and donkeys; and it is believed; in Barbary; that
they can change the colour of any animal by means of sorcery; and
so disguise him as to sell him to his very proprietor; without fear
of his being recognised。 This latter trait is quite characteristic
of the Gypsy race; by whom the same thing is practised in most
parts of the world。 But the Moors assert; that the children of the
Dar…bushi…fal can not only change the colour of a horse or a mule;
but likewise of a human being; in one night; transforming a white
into a black; after which they sell him for a slave; on which
account the superstitious Moors regard them with the utmost dread;
and in general prefer passing the night in the open fields to
sleeping in their hamlets。 They are said to possess a particular
language; which is neither Shilhah nor Arabic; and which none but
themselves understand; from all which circumstances I am led to
believe; that the children of the Dar…bushi…fal are legitimate
Gypsies; descendants of those who passed over to Barbary from
Spain。 Nevertheless; as it has never been my fortune to meet or to
converse with any of this caste; though they are tolerably numerous
in Barbary; I am far from asserting that they are of Gypsy race。
More enterprising individuals than myself may; perhaps; establish
the fact。 Any particular language or jargon which they speak
amongst themselves will be the best criterion。 The word which they
employ for 'water' would decide the point; for the Dar…bushi…fal
are not Gypsies; if; in their peculiar speech; they designate that
blessed element and article most necessary to human existence by
aught else than the Sanscrit term 'Pani;' a word brought by the
race from sunny Ind; and esteemed so holy that they have never even
presumed to modify it。
The following is an account of the Dar…bushi…fal; given me by a Jew
of Fez; who had travelled much in Barbary; and which I insert
almost literally as I heard it from his mouth。 Various other
individuals; Moors; have spoken of them in much the same manner。
'In one of my journeys I passed the night in a place called Mulai…
Jacub Munsur。
'Not far from this place is a Char Seharra; or witch…hamlet; where
dwell those of the Dar…bushi…fal。 These are very evil people; and
powerful enchanters; for it is well known that if any traveller
stop to sleep in their Char; they will with their sorceries; if he
be a white man; turn him as black as a coal; and will afterwards
sell him as a negro。 Horses and mules they serve in the same
manner; for if they are black; they will turn them red; or any
other colour which best may please them; and although the owners
demand justice of the authorities; the sorcerers always come off
best。 They have a language which they use among themselves; very
different from all other languages; so much so that it is
impossible to understand them。 They are very swarthy; quite as
much so as mulattos; and their faces are exceedingly lean。 As for
their legs; they are like reeds; and when they run; the devil
himself cannot overtake them。 They tell Dar…bushi…fal with flour;
they fill a plate; and then they are able to tell you anything you
ask them。 They likewise tell it with a shoe; they put it in their
mouth; and then they will recall to your memory every action of
your life。 They likewise tell Dar…bushi…fal with oil; and indeed
are; in every respect; most powerful sorcerers。
'Two women; once on a time; came to Fez; bringing with them an
exceedingly white donkey; which they placed in the middle of the
square called Faz el Bali; they then killed it; and cut it into
upwards of thirty pieces。 Upon the ground there was much of the
donkey's filth and dung; some of this they took in their hands;
when it straight assumed the appearance of fresh dates。 There were
some people who were greedy enough to put these dates into their
mouths; and then they found that it was dung。 These women deceived
me amongst the rest with a date; when I put it into my mouth; lo
and behold it was the donkey's dung。 After they had collected much
money from the spectators; one of them took a needle; and ran it
into the tail of the donkey; crying 〃Arrhe li dar〃 (Get home);
whereupon the donkey instantly rose up; and set off running;
kicking every now and then most furiously; and it was remarked;
that not one single trace of blood remained upon the ground; just
as if they had done nothing to it。 Both th