DlESS OF NATIVES. 305 wear the rahad, a band round the waist, from which hangs a fringe of leathern thongs. The men generally wear only one garment, a piece of cloth which is wound round the body, with one end thrown over the right shoulder. They wear sandals, and shave the head with the exception of one pigtail ; this is left on account of the superstition that after death a sharp sword has to be crossed before Heaven can be entered ; and that Mahomet, to assist the faithful, takes hold of the pigtail, and guides them by it, to prevent them falling into the abyss. Lane says, in ' Modern Egyptians ' (vol, ii. p. 35), " This custom is said to have originated in the fear that, if the Moslem should fall into the hands of an infidel and be slain, the latter might cut off the head of his victim, and finding no hair by which to hold it, put his impure hand into the mouth in order to carry it."

The female dress is similar to that of the men, the right shoulder and breast being uncovered. In Obeid the women veil the face. The hair of the women is always dressed in one fashion. It is plaited in long locks, and so arranged that the top of their head looks like the thatched roof of a hut.

Ivory and silver rings are worn round the ankles and wrists ; and for other adornments they indulge in many head ornaments, ear-rings, often a large nose-ring, which does not enhance their personal attractiveness. The Baggara are armed with lances, VOL. n. X