They have wide mouths, with thick
lips; their noses are broad and flat; their chins protrude; their cheek-
bones are disagreeably prominent. Their complexion may be any shade of a
muddy brown. Generally, their teeth are regular, and very white; but
against this redeeming trait must be put their hideous hair, which is
coal-black, very long, very woolly, and very coarse. When worn in all
its natural amplitude, its effect is curiously disagreeable. The face
seems lost in a "boundless convexity" of thick frizzled hair, which
stands out in every direction. But, usually, the men cut their hair
quite short at the back of the head, leaving only a length of six or
eight inches in front, which stands upright, like a hedge of wool. Much
pride is felt in their "head of hair" by the women, and even by some of
the men; and, unwilling to shorten so ornamental an appendage, they plait
it into numerous little tails. Some coquettishly allow these tails to
droop all about their head; others twist them together into a band or
bunch, covering the top of the head like a cap. No wonder that much time
is spent in the preparation of so complex a head-gear; but then, on the
other hand, when once made up it will last for several days.
Now as to the costume of these interesting semi-savages. Their articles
of clothing are two in number--the _sadik_ and the _simbre_.
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