********* Sands of the Oasis Newspaper*********
Editor's Forewords
I shall start by introducing myself, Lady Melanie Malibu, Chief Scribe of Nine Wells and editor of your newspaper. This newspaper is obviously designed to impart information pertinent to the citizens and slaves of this fine city, but I also hope that it will assist in further bonding us together as a community - this is your newspaper and can only be as good as the contributions you make. Please let me know of anything you would like including in future issues, no matter how trivial. You can either find me in the city or leave a scroll in the dropbox in my office.
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Citizen news
I shall ensure that everyone who arrives in Nine Wells gets a mention here in future. This will also be be a good place to advise everyone of Free Companionships, deaths and births, and slave matters such as new acquisitions, branding, sales and so on.
Chief Scribe - Arriving with me in Nine Wells are my two slaves, we have all travelled from the far nothern city of Midgaard where snow fell as we left. The journey south was long and arduous, and we visited many other cities on the way. Some of these cities were fair, others not so.. some were friendly and others were not. Travelling alone as a Free Woman with a couple of slaves is not recommended of course, but needs must sometimes. I was the Head Scribe of Midgaard for quite some time, ably supported by my girl who is not only a thoroughly competant scribe slave, but she was also Midgaard's Second Girl. We looked for a place in which to settle, and none were as warming (excuse the pun..) as Nine Wells. The city is as beautiful as its people are welcoming (once you get past Servine Genosse on the gate that is..!) I have concentrated my efforts this far on making my new home as comfortable as possible, meeting citizens and slaves alike, and working on the newsletter. My next task will be to review the contents of the scribery and ensure that you have a source of excellence to refer to - I bring copies of all my scolls from my former city, and will integrate them where I think prudent. I also plan to make available certain books by a man known as John Norman... My apartment is above my office, which is to the right of the scribery. Please feel free to call by and say Tal if you have the time.
Poetry - The Pasha of Nine Wells is indeed fortunate in owning a girl (Shiney85 Gemini) who can not only read and write, but compose poetry also! The Pasha has published her works in a book which is lavishly illustrated. It is for sale within the scribery, placed close to the Pasha's dropbox on the right as you enter. I have acquired a copy myself, and recommend it to anyone who is interested in the beauty of the written word.
Rahn Au - Rahn Au, a merchant of this fair city, informs me that his girl Rosepetal Green is due to give birth in a week's time. We wish her well and that the child will bring joy, light and prosperity to the House of Au. Of real concern though, Rahn Au informs me that he has received word that his life may be in danger from an individual known as Lasaue DeCuir. I am advised that the city's authorities have been notified, but all citizens are advised to be on the lookout for this person and to notify a guard should they be observed.
Mercenaries in the City - We have all been made aware of the existence of mercenaries coming and going in the city. Your editor will endeavour to investigate this matter and report on the situation in the next edition, assuming she is able to glean any information... (Melanie looks in mirror, practices batting her eyes, and goes off in search of known male sources of information, knowing from experience her womanly charms may yield valuable information..)
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This week's Biography!
I hope to have a biography each and every week from a citizen of this City, so please come forward with an article, or prepare to be pestered. Your time will come... so no use hiding or running away when you see the Chief Scribe approaching with quill in hand..!
Mustafaaab Connoisseur
Introducing the
OASIS OF NINE WELLS MINISTRY OF FINANCE & AMIR
Out exploring one day I discovered the Oasis of Nine Wells and Gor, which I had heard of, but never paid much attention to. In the next few days I, Mustafaaab Connoisseur was a citizen of Nine Wells beginning a unique experience in the desert that has always attracted and fascinated me. As my profile reads I have truly come understand & believe that the natural LIFE, of ORIGINAL MAN...is in GOR!
For me Gor is a partial replay of earth history 500-1500 years ago. It's a carefully woven story by the author of 26 books, to help bring out the nature and real potential of men and women, but especially men. To see how humans are tested in total power and complete submission is a unique opportunity. What struck me most in the study, were things that need further development in SL GORin my opinion, interaction with the beasts of nature, business of the castes, and the entire political economic relationship between the regions and cities of Gor.
Soon I began to tour and understand GOR better, its social structure, politics and economics. Stopped everything I was doing in SL for about 2 weeks, and read about half the library materials in Nine Wells and the web, asked many questions, and started reading the Gor Books. Now I even take private lessons with a RL 14 year Scribe of Gor.
Soon I began to see that Nine Wells needed a thriving economy to help pay the Priest Kings (Lindens) every single month too, like most struggling Gor sims. As a result I offered the Pasha of Nine Wells my finance & business training, experience & services, resulting in the Ministry of Finance located on the 2nd floor of the Throne Building. The responsibilities of this office are as follows:
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Role * Objectives * Responsibilities
* Reports directly to and for the pleasure of the Pasha of the Oasis of Nine Wells
* To propose & help implement revenue generating & cost saving methods & activities for the Oasis of Nine Wells
* To maintain the Treasury Depository & Accounting of the Oasis of Nine Wells for collected & expended resources
* To prepare monthly or quarterly Financial reports for the Oasis of Nine Wells
* To help provide a model environment for financial empowerment & activity of all the Castes who reside in the Oasis of Nine Wells
* To help financially keep focus and achieve the successful expansion goal of 22 sims for the Oasis of Nine Wells
* To protect the Treasury Assets and the Oasis of Nine Wells with Steel & Appropriate Force
As the Amir of Finance for Nine Wells, I pledge to uphold these duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and request the help of all citizens in this essential duty of running a multi sim-and expanding city. Citizens, Visitors & Friends of The Oasis are invited to submit ideas and proposals by Notecard Scroll to the Ministry of Finance to help better Nine Wells incoming revenues, reduce expenses, and expand activities. Those who want to work, there are buildings to be rented and many scrolls of SL earth citizens and visitors to invite to Nine Wells. Together let us help establish Nine Wells & the Tahari region as a solid foundation of Gor.
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Events
Warriors may be interested in a tornament being held in Iaomai Arena on 27-28 October. Prizes totalling $60,000Ls are on offer, so men of Nine Wells, sharpen your swords, polish your shields and go bring honour to your Home Stone and House. Attached is the advertisment for the event:-
This will be a good place to include events with Nine Wells, so please give me at aleast a week's notice!
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Photographs
Everyone, please take photographs of the city and events within it. Send them to me (with full permissions!) and I will select a couple every week to be included - a short description will be useful too to put the photo into context. If you have one you think might lend itself to a caption competition, then let's give it a go...!
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Classified
Furniture from Safira's Fantasies shop - Scribe throne and stool, desk with 3 chairs and ledger, a couple of low tables. CALIBER Gor globe also, some other gorean furniture also. I aslo have some medical equipment (various items), also Phsician FW robes "Resplendent in Green". IM Melanie Malibu for information.
There, I've started it off, let me know if you have items for sale also!
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Ideas and suggestions for further inclusion are of course welcomed!
May your water bags never be empty,
Melanie Malibu
Chief Scribe
Oasis of the Nine Wells
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Women of the Tahari
Slave girls in the Tahari often wear chalwars. These are baggy pants of diaphanous silk, gathered in closely at the ankles. They are worn low on the hips, several inches below the belly button. They are similar to the harem trousers of the middle east region of Earth. They may also wear a silk vest with the chalwars.
Tahari free women have a certain place in their society and learn certain skills. These skills include such matters as making rope from kaiila hair, cutting and plaiting of reins, weaving of cloth and mats, decoration and beading of leather goods, use of the mortar and pestle, use of the grain quern, preparation and spicing of stews, cleaning of verr, milking of verr and kaiila, and the churning of milk. Nomad women often fry foods by setting metal boards on rocks and cooking on the hot metal.
Women, free and slave, are commonly transported in the Tahari in a kurdah. A kurdah is a semicircular frame of tem wood, about a yard in width at its widest point and four feet high. It is an open-fronted, flat-bottomed, half globe. The frame is covered with layers of white rep cloth to reflect the sun. The front closes by a curtain. It is light and can be carried by a pack kailla. Some nomads veil their women and others do not. Some others decorate their faces with designs, drawn in charcoal. Among the upper classes in the Tahari, it is scandalous that a woman's mouth not be concealed. The mouth is thought to be very erotic. To touch a girl's teeth to your own is considered a preliminary to the seizure of her body.
Some women in the Tahari use items that would be more likely found on slaves elsewhere. Free girls, of the age ready for free companionship, may signal their availability by belling their left ankles with a virgin bell. The bright and clear note of the virgin bell is easily distinguished from the sensuous sounds of slave bells. A beautifully measured gait is considered attractive for women in the Tahari. Slaves often use light walking chains that tether the ankles. The chains are adjustable from two to twenty inches. Free women also measure their stride, sometimes with silk thongs or even a walking chain.
Men of the Tahari prefer soft, meaty slaves. A slave may be stuffed with food for several days before her sale to get her into that condition. Cold, white-skinned women are also of interest to the men of the Tahari. They enjoy turning them into hot slaves. Blond, blue-eyed women are rare in the Tahari so they are eagerly sought after. Slaves in the Tahari are commonly branded with the "Kef" but it is in Taharic. They also use the printed letter and not the cursive, though it still looks floral. Slaves are often made to perform on submission mats, very coarse mats. It is considered a horrible degradation to make a Tahari woman, free or slave, dry a man's feet with her hair.
Men in the Tahari, like in most places, enjoy slave dancing. Many of these girls may use zills, finger cymbals. They may also use dancing chains. There are many varieties of dancing chains. They enhance a girl's beauty and do not interfere at all in her dancing. They do impose subtle limits on her dance but that only adds to the experience. A dancing chain is basically a long, light chain. It connects to two wrist rings and her collar.
Tahari free women have a certain place in their society and learn certain skills. These skills include such matters as making rope from kaiila hair, cutting and plaiting of reins, weaving of cloth and mats, decoration and beading of leather goods, use of the mortar and pestle, use of the grain quern, preparation and spicing of stews, cleaning of verr, milking of verr and kaiila, and the churning of milk. Nomad women often fry foods by setting metal boards on rocks and cooking on the hot metal.
Women, free and slave, are commonly transported in the Tahari in a kurdah. A kurdah is a semicircular frame of tem wood, about a yard in width at its widest point and four feet high. It is an open-fronted, flat-bottomed, half globe. The frame is covered with layers of white rep cloth to reflect the sun. The front closes by a curtain. It is light and can be carried by a pack kailla. Some nomads veil their women and others do not. Some others decorate their faces with designs, drawn in charcoal. Among the upper classes in the Tahari, it is scandalous that a woman's mouth not be concealed. The mouth is thought to be very erotic. To touch a girl's teeth to your own is considered a preliminary to the seizure of her body.
Some women in the Tahari use items that would be more likely found on slaves elsewhere. Free girls, of the age ready for free companionship, may signal their availability by belling their left ankles with a virgin bell. The bright and clear note of the virgin bell is easily distinguished from the sensuous sounds of slave bells. A beautifully measured gait is considered attractive for women in the Tahari. Slaves often use light walking chains that tether the ankles. The chains are adjustable from two to twenty inches. Free women also measure their stride, sometimes with silk thongs or even a walking chain.
Men of the Tahari prefer soft, meaty slaves. A slave may be stuffed with food for several days before her sale to get her into that condition. Cold, white-skinned women are also of interest to the men of the Tahari. They enjoy turning them into hot slaves. Blond, blue-eyed women are rare in the Tahari so they are eagerly sought after. Slaves in the Tahari are commonly branded with the "Kef" but it is in Taharic. They also use the printed letter and not the cursive, though it still looks floral. Slaves are often made to perform on submission mats, very coarse mats. It is considered a horrible degradation to make a Tahari woman, free or slave, dry a man's feet with her hair.
Men in the Tahari, like in most places, enjoy slave dancing. Many of these girls may use zills, finger cymbals. They may also use dancing chains. There are many varieties of dancing chains. They enhance a girl's beauty and do not interfere at all in her dancing. They do impose subtle limits on her dance but that only adds to the experience. A dancing chain is basically a long, light chain. It connects to two wrist rings and her collar.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Owning a woman
For example, it is common for a master to force his girl to speak at length and in detail to him of the secret sides of her nature, explaining and elaborating on her fantasies: if she is literate, she may be forced, naked, collared, on her knees at a small table, sometimes with her ankles shackled, to write them out; this supplies the master, of course, with abundant materials which may be used by him to make her further and more helplessly his
Sunday, October 7, 2007
More about breeding slaves
Breeding Wine - Second Wine
"Yes, Master," she said."Crawl to me on your belly," I said."Yes, Master," she said, smiling."Now kneel before me," I said, "with your knees wide, with your wrists crossed behind you, touching, as though bound.""Yes, Master," she said. She was then before me, in a posture of my dictation, and, as it is said, bound by my will.I withdrew an object from my pouch."Master?" she said.I held the object before her. She regarded it with dismay. "I have already chewed sip root within the moon," she said."Open your mouth," I said."Yes, Master," she said.I then thrust the object into her mouth."Chew it well," I said, "and swallow it, bit by bit."She grimaced, at the barest taste of the object."Begin," I told her.She began."Not so quickly," I told her. "More slowly. Very slowly. Very, very slowly. Savor it well."She whimpered in obedience.She did not need the sip root, of course, for, as she had pointed out, she had had some within the moon, and, indeed, the effect of sip root, in the raw state, in most women, is three or four moons. In the concentrated state, as in slave wine, developed by the caste of physicians, the effect is almost indefinite, usually requiring a releaser for its remission, usually administered, to a slave, in what is called the breeding wine, or the "second wine." When this is administered she usually knows that she has been selected for crossing with a handsome male slave.Such breedings commonly take place with the slaves hooded, and under the supervision of the master, or masters. In this way the occurrence of the breeding act can be confirmed and authenticated. Sometimes a member of the caste of scribes is also present, to provide certification on behalf of the city. Usually, however, in cities which encourage this sort of registration it is sufficient to bring the papers for stamping to the proper office within forty Ahn. Such rigor, however, is usually involved only in the breeding of expensive, pedigreed slaves. Most slave breeding is at the discretion of the private master or masters involved. Slaves from the same household, incidentally, are seldom mated. This practice is intended to reduce the likelihood of intimate emotional relationships among slaves. Furthermore, male and female slaves are usually kept separate, female slaves commonly performing light labors in households and male slaves working in the fields or on the grounds. Sometimes, to reward male slaves, or keep them content, or even to keep them from going insane, a female slave is thrown to them. This is sometimes a girl of delicate sensibilities from the house who has not been perfectly pleasing; she then finds herself thrown naked to work slaves. In slave matings, since most crossings do not take place within the same household, a stud fee is usually paid to the master of the male slave. The active ingredient in the breeding wine, or the "second wine," is a derivative of teslik. In the matter of bitterness of taste there is little to choose from between raw sip root and slave wine, the emulsive qualities of the slave wine being offset to some extent by the strength of the concentrations involved."I have finished it," gasped the girl, shuddering."Open your mouth," I said, "widely."I forced her mouth open, even more widely, with my thumbs and forefingers. I examined her mouth, closely. The sip root was gone.She still held her wrists crossed, touching, behind her. She was still bound, as it is said, by the master’s will."You are unbound," I told her. She removed her hands from behind her back.She looked at me, knowing that I was her master."Lick and wipe your mouth," I told her. She ran her tongue over her lips, and wiped them with the back of her right forearm.If I should choose to kiss her I did not desire to taste the residue of sip root."Hands on thighs," I said, "head down."She complied. It is pleasant to command women."Do you think that you will conquer?" I asked."No, Master," she whispered."Would you like more sip root?" I inquired.She shook her head, rigorously. "No, Master," she said.She had not needed the sip root, of course.It is occasionally useful to have the slave perform arbitrary and unpleasant acts. It helps to remind them that they are only slaves, and are subject to the master’s will. BLOOD BROTHERS OF GOR-, Pages 319-320
"Yes, Master," she said."Crawl to me on your belly," I said."Yes, Master," she said, smiling."Now kneel before me," I said, "with your knees wide, with your wrists crossed behind you, touching, as though bound.""Yes, Master," she said. She was then before me, in a posture of my dictation, and, as it is said, bound by my will.I withdrew an object from my pouch."Master?" she said.I held the object before her. She regarded it with dismay. "I have already chewed sip root within the moon," she said."Open your mouth," I said."Yes, Master," she said.I then thrust the object into her mouth."Chew it well," I said, "and swallow it, bit by bit."She grimaced, at the barest taste of the object."Begin," I told her.She began."Not so quickly," I told her. "More slowly. Very slowly. Very, very slowly. Savor it well."She whimpered in obedience.She did not need the sip root, of course, for, as she had pointed out, she had had some within the moon, and, indeed, the effect of sip root, in the raw state, in most women, is three or four moons. In the concentrated state, as in slave wine, developed by the caste of physicians, the effect is almost indefinite, usually requiring a releaser for its remission, usually administered, to a slave, in what is called the breeding wine, or the "second wine." When this is administered she usually knows that she has been selected for crossing with a handsome male slave.Such breedings commonly take place with the slaves hooded, and under the supervision of the master, or masters. In this way the occurrence of the breeding act can be confirmed and authenticated. Sometimes a member of the caste of scribes is also present, to provide certification on behalf of the city. Usually, however, in cities which encourage this sort of registration it is sufficient to bring the papers for stamping to the proper office within forty Ahn. Such rigor, however, is usually involved only in the breeding of expensive, pedigreed slaves. Most slave breeding is at the discretion of the private master or masters involved. Slaves from the same household, incidentally, are seldom mated. This practice is intended to reduce the likelihood of intimate emotional relationships among slaves. Furthermore, male and female slaves are usually kept separate, female slaves commonly performing light labors in households and male slaves working in the fields or on the grounds. Sometimes, to reward male slaves, or keep them content, or even to keep them from going insane, a female slave is thrown to them. This is sometimes a girl of delicate sensibilities from the house who has not been perfectly pleasing; she then finds herself thrown naked to work slaves. In slave matings, since most crossings do not take place within the same household, a stud fee is usually paid to the master of the male slave. The active ingredient in the breeding wine, or the "second wine," is a derivative of teslik. In the matter of bitterness of taste there is little to choose from between raw sip root and slave wine, the emulsive qualities of the slave wine being offset to some extent by the strength of the concentrations involved."I have finished it," gasped the girl, shuddering."Open your mouth," I said, "widely."I forced her mouth open, even more widely, with my thumbs and forefingers. I examined her mouth, closely. The sip root was gone.She still held her wrists crossed, touching, behind her. She was still bound, as it is said, by the master’s will."You are unbound," I told her. She removed her hands from behind her back.She looked at me, knowing that I was her master."Lick and wipe your mouth," I told her. She ran her tongue over her lips, and wiped them with the back of her right forearm.If I should choose to kiss her I did not desire to taste the residue of sip root."Hands on thighs," I said, "head down."She complied. It is pleasant to command women."Do you think that you will conquer?" I asked."No, Master," she whispered."Would you like more sip root?" I inquired.She shook her head, rigorously. "No, Master," she said.She had not needed the sip root, of course.It is occasionally useful to have the slave perform arbitrary and unpleasant acts. It helps to remind them that they are only slaves, and are subject to the master’s will. BLOOD BROTHERS OF GOR-, Pages 319-320
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Male Slaves and breeding slaves
~male silk slaves and breeding slaves~~Most Gorean slave girls are comely, or beautiful. This is easy to understand. It is almost always the better looking women who are taken for slaves, and, of course, in breeding slaves, it is commonly only the most beautful of female slaves who are used, these usually being crossed, hooded, with handsome male silk slaves, also hooded. The female offspring of these matings needless to say, are often exquisite. The male offspring, incidentally, and interestingly, to my mind, are often handsome, strong and quite masculine. This is perhaps because many male silk slaves are chosen to be male silk slaves not because they are weak or like women, but because they are not; it is only that they are men, and often true men, who must serve women, totally, in the same fashion that a slave female is expected to serve a free master. To be sure, it is also true, and should be admitted in all honesty, that many male silk slaves are rather feminine; some women prefer this type, perhaps because they fear true men; from such a silk slave they need not fear that they may suddenly be turned upon, and tied, and taught to be women. Most women, however, after a time, find this type of silk slave a banality and a bore; charm and wit can be entertaining, but, in time, if not conjouined with intellect and true masculine power, they are likely to wear thin. The feminine type of male silk slave, incidentally, for better or for worse, is seldom selected for breeding purposes. Gorean slave breeders, perhaps benighted in this respect, prefer what they take to be health to what they think of as sickness, and what they take to be strength to what they deem weakness. Some female slaves, incidentally, have a pedigreed lineage going back through several generations of slave matings, and their masters hold the papers to prove this. It is a felmony in Gorean law to forge or falsify such papers. Many Gorean believe that all women are born for the collar, and that a woman cannot be truly fulfilled as a woman until a strong man puts it on her, until she finds herself reduced to her basic femaleness at his feet. In the case of the bred female slave, of course, she has been legally and literally, in anyone's understanding, bred to the collar, and in a full commercial and economic sense, as a business speculation on the part of masters. The features most often selected for by the breeders are beauty and passion opposed to the pseudomasculine type of intelligence often found in women with large amounts of male hormones, is commonly linked, apparently genetically, with these two hitherto mentioned properties. There are few male slaves with long pedigrees. Goreans, though recognizing the legal and economic legitimacy of male slavery, do not regard it as possessing the same biological sanction as attaches to female slavery. The natural situation, in the mind of many Goreans, is that the master set/slave relation is one which ideally exists between man and woman, with the woman in the property position. Male slaves, from time to tiem, can receive opportunities to win their freedom, though, to be sure, usually in situations of high risk and great danger. Such opportunities are never accorded to the female slave. She is totally helpless. If she is to receive her freedom it will be fully and totally, and only, by the decision of her master. ~Savages of Gor..page 68-70~
Tahari
The following is a bit of detailed information upon the Tahari desert, an area this girl studied extensively.
People of the Tahari
� The Aretai are a major tribe of the Tahari, their vassal tribes are the Arani, Luraz, Ravir, Tajuks, Tashid, Ti, and Zevar. The other major tribe is the Kavar and is a foe of the Aretai. The war cry of the Aretai is 'Aretai Victorious!'.
� The Kavar is the other major tribe of the Tahari and is often at odds with the Aretai. Their vassal tribes are the Ta'Kara, Bakahs, Cha,r and Kashani. Their war cry is 'Kavars Supreme!'. Their mark is a blue scimitar facing outward from the body on the right forearm. Weapons include the Weapons sleeve dagger and scimitar.
� The major tribes were ruled by Pashas. The Pasha often resided in a Kasbah, the fortress.
Free Men of the Tahari
The movements of the men of the Tahari are, during the hours of heat, usually slow, almost languid or graceful. They engage in little unnecessary movement. They do not, if they can help it, overheat themselves. They sweat as little as possible, which conserves body fluid. Their garments are loose and voluminous, yet closely woven. The outer garment when in caravan, usually the burnoose, is almost invariable white. This color reflects the rays of the sun. The looseness of the garments, acting as a bellows in movement, circulates air about the body, which air, circulating, over the body, cools the body by evaporation; the close weave of the garment is to keep the moisture and water, as much as possible, within the garment, preferrably condensing back on the skin. There are two desiderata which are cruicial in these matters; the first is to minimize perspiration; the second is to retain as much moisture, lost through perspiration, as is possible on the body. Tribesmen of Gor, page 73
� The burnoose is the loose, billowing outer robes favored by the men of the Tahari in caravan; it is a sleeveless,hooded desert cloak. This robe is preferred by those wielding scimitars.
� Usually it is of white in color to reflect the rays of the sun. The burnoose is very loose and flowing to keep the wearer cool. Also, there is the djellaba for men, which is a striped, hooded loose robe.
� The kaffiyeh is the head covering of the tribesmen of the Tahari; it is a folded, square cloth that is worn folded into a triangle and placed over the head. It consists of two points at the side of the shoulders and one in back to protect the back of the neck. Also, a head scarf/wrapped turban wound around the head, much often a repcloth worn by lower class males; acts as a cushion for carrying burdens on the head. The agal is a length of cord which is used to bind the kaffiyeh to the head, usually several loops secure it.
Samos turned away from the girl. He indicated to me a man who sat at a far end of one of the low tables. He did not drink wine or paga. The man, rare in Port Kar, wore the kaffiyeh and agal. The kaffiyeh is a squarish scarf, folded over into a triangle, and placed over the head, two points at the side of the shoulders, one in back to protect the back of the neck. It is bound to the head by several loops of cord, the agal. The cording indicates tribe and district.
We went to the man. "This is Ibn Saran, salt merchant of the river port of Kasra," said Samos. Tribesmen of Gor, page 20
� Men of the Tahari wore slippers rather than boots. They are cooler, circulate air, and can be easily slipped on and off while riding.
� Men of the Tahari often wore wallets that were visible, worn about the waist. A smart man would also hide some of His money inside His clothing for safe-keeping from thieves.
� Traditions: "Let there be salt between Us" Salt is placed on the back of ones wrist and is offered to another who takes it off with his tongue. Akin to blood brothers.
� Greetings/Farewells. A gorean man brushes his right hand's palm twice to the other man's when both greeting and saying farewell. Before leaving, a gorean male may often bow before turning and leaving the room.
"The noble Samos has been most kind," said Ibn Saran. "His hospitality has been most generous."
I extended my hand to Ibn Saran and he, bowing twice, brushed twice the palm of his hand against mine.
"I am pleased to make the acquaintance of he who is friend to Samos of Port Kar," said Ibn Saran. "May your water bags never be empty. May you have always water." Tribesmen of Gor, page 21
� Eating and the right hand.
I noted that Ibn Saran ate only with the right hand. This was the eating hand, and the scimitar hand. He would feed himself only with the hand which, wielding steel, could take blood. Tribesmen of Gor, page 20
� Men of the Tahari are often quiet and patient.
"Either girl's use is yours, noble Ibn Saran," said Samos, "if you wish." "My thanks," said he, "Noble Samos. But it will be in my own tent, on the submission mats, that I will teach a slave to be a slave." Tribesmen of Gor, page 34
Free Women of the Tahari
� Free Women wore gowns, cloaks and veils. The most common was the haik, which is actually worn by both Free Women and slaves. It is often black and covers a woman from head to toe. A tiny piece of black lace lies over the eyes so that she may see. The women also wear black, non-heeled slippers with curled toes decorated sometimes with a line of silver thread. Slaves are naked beneath a haik save for their collar. Free Women also wear skirts.
� A virgin bell is worn around the ankle of free girls to signal they are available as Free Companions.
� Some skills useful of a woman of the tahari (free and slave).
"Find Aya," I would tell her. "Beg her to put you to work." Aya was one of the slave women of Farouk.Once she dared to say to me, "But Aya makes me do all her work!" "Hurry!" I told her.Of course Aya exploited her. It was my intention taht she should. But, too, Aya, with her kaiila strap, continued her lessons in Gorean. Too, she taught her skills useful to a Tahari female, the making of ropes from kaiila hair, the cutting and plaiting of reins, the weaving of cloth and mats, the decoration and beading of the leather goods, the use of the mortar and pestle, the use of the grain quern, the perparation and spicing of stews, the cleaning of verr and, primarily when we camped near watering holes in the vicinity of the nomads, the milking of verr and kaiila. Too, she was taught the churning of milk in skin bags."She is making me learn the labors of a free woman," once had complained Alyena to me.I had gestured her to her knees. "You are a poor sort," I told er. "To a nomad I may sell you. In his tent the heavy labors of the free woman will doubtless be yours, in addition to the labors of the slave.""I would have to work as a free woman," she whispered, "and yet be also a slave?""Yes," I said.She shuddered. "Sell me to a rich man," she begged."I will sell you, or give you, or loan you, or rent you," I said, "to whomsoever I please."Tribesmen of Gor, pages 72-73
Slaves of the Tahari
� The general clothing of the Taharian slaves is chalwar. Chalwar by definition is much similar to the harem trousers of earth; the pants bear a sash The pants are a baggy diaphonous silk, very sheer. The vest is of the same color, also silk, and bears the midriff. In the Kasbah, girls in training as 'whitesilks' will wear white. Once moving on, the color is silver of the state slave. Slaves also wear the haik, but underneath they are naked, save for their collars. Slaves may also wear skirts, blouses, jackets, and slippers.
� Also included in a slave's attire may be the slave djellaba which is repcloth and varies in color, coming high on the thighs of the wearer. In the caravan, it is what a slave may use to sleep in.
� Slaves also wore veils held by a tiny (sometimes golden) string, ear rings, bangles on wrists and ankles, and dancing chains.
Angrily Alyena.. took the tiny, triangular yellow veil, utterly diaphanous, and held it before her face, covering hte lower portion of her face. the veil was drawn back and she held it at her ears. The light silk was held across the bridge of her nose, where, beautifully, its porous, yellow sheen broke to the left and right. Her mouth, angry, was visible behind the veil. It, too, covered her chin. The mouth of a woman, by men of the Tahari, and by Goreans generally, is found extremely provocative, sexually. The slave veil is a mockery, in its way. It reveals, as much as conceals, yet it adds a touch of subtlety, mystery; slave veils are made to be torn away, the lips of the master then crushing those of the slave.Tribesmen of Gor, page 69
� The walking chain is used on both Free Women and slaves. It is used to measure one's stride. A measured gait is considered attractive in the Tahari.
� The slave hobble is used often at night in the caravans. The slave hobble is a chain.
When finished with her, I would cross Alyena's ankles and, with the walking chain, suitably shortened, chain them together. That way she could not stand. I would throw her her brief djellaba against the desert cold, and order her to a position of sleep. On the mat, toward morning, she would pull the hood over her face, fold her arms and pull up her legs, knees bent; the djellaba came far up her thighs. Tribesmen of Gor, page 81
� Seraglio: a slave kennel
� Punishments in the Tahari:
Once she stole a date. I did not whip her. I chained her, arms over her head, back against the trunk, to a flahdah tree. I permitted nomad children to discomfit her. They are fiendish little beggars. They tickled her with the lanceolate leaves of the tree. They put honey about her, to attract the tiny black sand flies, which infest such water holes in the spring.Tribesmen of Gor, page 81
Animals of the Tahari
� The desert kaiila is a mount used of the men of the Tahari. It is also known as the 'sand kaiila' and is and omnivorous animal that is related to the souther kaiila. It is a lofty, proud, silken, long-necked, smooth-gaited animal and stands 20 to 22 hands at the shoulder. The kaiila reins are light reins, plaited with 10 to 12 strips, thinner than a thread, of dyed leather, but are very strong and durable. The caravan kaiila are pack animals and mounts; these are more often and almost always belled so that the animals do not stray to far and can be found in the desert winds when sometimes one cant even see directly in front of them. Caravans are normally slow moving and silent and the bells alert the people to passers where without bells one may unknowingly pass another within yards without ever seeing that other person. Normally only raiders ride without bells.
� In caravans, at night, the animals, as well as slaves, are hobbled. With the kaiila, a simple figure-eight twist of kaiila-hair rope, above the spreading paws, below the knees, is used.
� Birds: zadit (zad), it eats on insects.
Terrain/Geography/Climate of the Tahariincluding flora and fauna
� The Tahari is a desert region that is also known as the 'Tahari Wastes.' The deserts contain various oasis springs and deep wells.
� Some Aretai strong holds: Oasis of Nine Wells, Oasis of the Battle of Red Rock
� The sand, struck by the sun, can reach temperatures on its surface of more than 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Ony a foot or two below the surface, these temperatures are reduced by more than fifty degrees. Because of the lack of surface water, the nights, the sun gone, are cool, even chilly at times. The nights often require a heavy djellaba or a blanket. Fires are often burnt in the center of the nomads tents at night to keep their feet warm, though often a Master would also have His slave girl at His feet to warm them at night.
� In the Tahari there are constant winds; they blow from north or northwest. It is a hot wind, yet without it, the desert would seem almost inbearable. Though, sometimes dust storms emerge, blocking all from your view; many times one has to shield himself for fear of being buried by it.
� There are parts of the deserts where it is 'hilly.' These areas have much scrub brush, large rocks strewn about, and dust and gravel underfoot. On the shaded sides of some rocks and hills, brownish patches of verr grass grows.
� The flahdah is a tree of the Tahari, similar to the leaning palm trees of earth. These grow often around water holes, sometimes a dozen or so--more so around oasis. They look like flat-topped umbrellas on crooked sticks and stand around 20 feet high.
� The date palms grow to more than a hundred feet high. It takes more than ten years before they begin to bear fruit and then yield fruit for more than a century. A tree, annually, may grow as much as one to five gorean weights of fruit. A weight is of ten stone (approx. 40 earth lbs)
Tahari Foods and Drinks
� The major drink of the Tahari is bazi tea. This is a very aromatic tea of the Bazi leaves; it is served hot and heavily sugared in three tiny cups; it is similar to the orange pekoe of Earth.
� Water is sacred in the Tahari. One of the worst crimes in the Tahari is the destroying of a water source. Water is precious in the Tahari and not a drop is wasted. It is regarded as an almost inconceivable crime, surely the most heinous which might be perpetrated upon the desert. Such an act, regarded as a monstrosity, goes beyond a simple act of war.
I lifted the bag, drinking deeply. I replaced the plug and put back the bag, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. . . In sharing their water I had made myself, by custom of the Tahari, their guest. Tribesmen of Gor, page 143
� Another drink of the Tahari is blackwine. The first slave summoned carries the pot of blackwine; the second slave carried the sugars and additives. Hence just the opposite of how it is served in other cultures.
Ibn Saran, not taking his eyes from Alyena, lifted his finger. From one side a slave girl, barefoot, bangled, in sashed, diaphanous, trousered chalwar, gathered at the ankles, in tight, red-silk vest, with bare midriff, fled to him, with the tall, graceful, silvered pot containing the black wine. She was veiled. She knelt, replenishing the drink. Beneath her veil I saw the metal of her collar. I had not thought to have such fortune. She did not look at me. She returned to her place wit the pot of black wine. Ibn Saran lifted another finger. From the side there hastened to him another girl, a fair skinned, red haired girl. She too, wore veil, vest, chalwar, bangles, collar. She carried a tray, on which were various spoons and sugars. She knelt, placing her tray on the table. With a tiny spoon, its tip no more that a tenth of a hort in diameter, she placed four measures of white sugar, and six of yellow, in the cup; with two stirring spoons, one for the white sugar, another for the yellow, she stirred the beverage after each measure. She then held the cup to the side of her cheek, testing its temperature; Ibn Saran glanced at her; she, looking at him, timidly kissed the side of the cup and placed it before him. Then her head down, she withdrew. I did not turn to look back at the first girl, she who held the silvered pot. Tribesmen of Gor, pageS 88-89
Other Information of the Tahari
� Nomads move in caravans; it is almost suicide to wander in the desert alone.
� Mats are used for sitting upon or for screens.
� The kurdah is a small, light, semi-circular tent and is carried by a pack kaiila in which women (slave or Free) may ride. The frame is of temwood, is very light, and is covered with layers of white rep-cloth to reflect the sun. The slave is not bothered being chained inside, the desrt serves as the slave's cage as none can survive in the desert, on foot, alone. A slave may even sit upon the cushion inside.
..she sat within, her knees to the left, her ankles together, her weight partly on ther hands, to the right, on the small, silk-covered cushion of the frame. Tribesmen of Gor, page 69
� For cooking, there are "boards of metal" that are placed over rocks, they are 2' in length and exposed to the sun. These are used by nomad women for frying.
Set on rocks, boards of metal some two feet in length, and six inches wide, exposed to the sun, are sometimes used by the nomad women in frying foods. Tribesmen of Gor
� The conservation of body water is crucial, people of the tahari move rather slow when travelling in the desert and often wear white to reflect the rays of the sun. A person sweats as little as possible.
� Veminium oils are used in the deserts, where the desert veminium, a purplish flower, are boiled in water. The vapor which boils off is condensed into oil. This oil is used to perfume water. This water is not drunk but is used in middle and upper-class homes to rinse the eating hand, before and after the evening meal.
[the slave] had rinsed our right hands with veminium water, poured over our hand, into a small, shallow bowl of beaten copper" Tribesmen of Gor, page 61
� Decomposition in the desert is slow. Often it is hard to tell if a body had lain for only days or years. Skeletons are rarely found in the desert unless picked by birds or other animals. � The opening of the Tahari tent usually faces east so that the morning sun may warm it. This keeps the tent a bit warmer for the gorean night, which is often chilly.
� Sereem diamonds and opals are rare stones in the Tahari and valuable for trade.
� Those of the Tahari depend heavily upon trade. Even animals of the Tahari are rarely eaten because they are worth more as trade and transportation.
� Imports: rep-cloth; emboroidered cloths; silks; rugs; silver; gold; jewelries; mirros; kailiauk tusk; perfumes; hides; skins; feathers; precious woods; tools; needles; worked, leather goods; salt; nuts and spices; jungle birds-pets; weapons; rough woods; sheets of tin and copper; the tea of Bazi; wool from the bounding Hurt; decorated, beaded whips; female slaves (of which fair skinned ones gain the most profit)
� Exports: mainly dates and pressed-date bricks
� On a final note, remember that not all people of the Tahari are nomads, most live in the oasis of the desert.
Kasbah, Defined
As defined by: Encyclopedia of the Orient
� " Traditional fortress, palace of towns in pre-colonial North Africa."
� " The kasbah served as the seat of the local ruler, or feudal master, as well as the hiding place of the local population during attacks. The kasbah was constructed for defence, with high walls, small or none windows. Often kasbahs exploited the terrain, and was situated on hill tops, or near the approach to harbours. "
� " In general, at times all villages had each their kasbah, and the existence of a kasbah was a prerequisite for the survival of the village. In some areas, villages could be consisting of several kasbahs, this often expressing the wealth of individual families. "
� " Kasbahs survived into the time of colonisation, which stretched from 1830 until around 1930, starting in northern Algeria, and finishing in remote areas in the interior of the region, or in the mountains. "
As defined by Norman:
� The Kasbah was often classified as a fort yet was also used for trade, entertainment and as living quarters. The Kasbahs often had tiled flooring that was covered by finely woven rugs. The rugs were so precious that not only slaves, but also often the Free Persons would walk the rugs along the walls of each room so as not to wear down the hand woven rugs covering the central flooring of a room.
� The Kasbahs were surrounded by a high wall to keep out invaders. In times of trouble the walls were closed securely and locked even against the common townsfolk living in the Oasis.
People of the Tahari
� The Aretai are a major tribe of the Tahari, their vassal tribes are the Arani, Luraz, Ravir, Tajuks, Tashid, Ti, and Zevar. The other major tribe is the Kavar and is a foe of the Aretai. The war cry of the Aretai is 'Aretai Victorious!'.
� The Kavar is the other major tribe of the Tahari and is often at odds with the Aretai. Their vassal tribes are the Ta'Kara, Bakahs, Cha,r and Kashani. Their war cry is 'Kavars Supreme!'. Their mark is a blue scimitar facing outward from the body on the right forearm. Weapons include the Weapons sleeve dagger and scimitar.
� The major tribes were ruled by Pashas. The Pasha often resided in a Kasbah, the fortress.
Free Men of the Tahari
The movements of the men of the Tahari are, during the hours of heat, usually slow, almost languid or graceful. They engage in little unnecessary movement. They do not, if they can help it, overheat themselves. They sweat as little as possible, which conserves body fluid. Their garments are loose and voluminous, yet closely woven. The outer garment when in caravan, usually the burnoose, is almost invariable white. This color reflects the rays of the sun. The looseness of the garments, acting as a bellows in movement, circulates air about the body, which air, circulating, over the body, cools the body by evaporation; the close weave of the garment is to keep the moisture and water, as much as possible, within the garment, preferrably condensing back on the skin. There are two desiderata which are cruicial in these matters; the first is to minimize perspiration; the second is to retain as much moisture, lost through perspiration, as is possible on the body. Tribesmen of Gor, page 73
� The burnoose is the loose, billowing outer robes favored by the men of the Tahari in caravan; it is a sleeveless,hooded desert cloak. This robe is preferred by those wielding scimitars.
� Usually it is of white in color to reflect the rays of the sun. The burnoose is very loose and flowing to keep the wearer cool. Also, there is the djellaba for men, which is a striped, hooded loose robe.
� The kaffiyeh is the head covering of the tribesmen of the Tahari; it is a folded, square cloth that is worn folded into a triangle and placed over the head. It consists of two points at the side of the shoulders and one in back to protect the back of the neck. Also, a head scarf/wrapped turban wound around the head, much often a repcloth worn by lower class males; acts as a cushion for carrying burdens on the head. The agal is a length of cord which is used to bind the kaffiyeh to the head, usually several loops secure it.
Samos turned away from the girl. He indicated to me a man who sat at a far end of one of the low tables. He did not drink wine or paga. The man, rare in Port Kar, wore the kaffiyeh and agal. The kaffiyeh is a squarish scarf, folded over into a triangle, and placed over the head, two points at the side of the shoulders, one in back to protect the back of the neck. It is bound to the head by several loops of cord, the agal. The cording indicates tribe and district.
We went to the man. "This is Ibn Saran, salt merchant of the river port of Kasra," said Samos. Tribesmen of Gor, page 20
� Men of the Tahari wore slippers rather than boots. They are cooler, circulate air, and can be easily slipped on and off while riding.
� Men of the Tahari often wore wallets that were visible, worn about the waist. A smart man would also hide some of His money inside His clothing for safe-keeping from thieves.
� Traditions: "Let there be salt between Us" Salt is placed on the back of ones wrist and is offered to another who takes it off with his tongue. Akin to blood brothers.
� Greetings/Farewells. A gorean man brushes his right hand's palm twice to the other man's when both greeting and saying farewell. Before leaving, a gorean male may often bow before turning and leaving the room.
"The noble Samos has been most kind," said Ibn Saran. "His hospitality has been most generous."
I extended my hand to Ibn Saran and he, bowing twice, brushed twice the palm of his hand against mine.
"I am pleased to make the acquaintance of he who is friend to Samos of Port Kar," said Ibn Saran. "May your water bags never be empty. May you have always water." Tribesmen of Gor, page 21
� Eating and the right hand.
I noted that Ibn Saran ate only with the right hand. This was the eating hand, and the scimitar hand. He would feed himself only with the hand which, wielding steel, could take blood. Tribesmen of Gor, page 20
� Men of the Tahari are often quiet and patient.
"Either girl's use is yours, noble Ibn Saran," said Samos, "if you wish." "My thanks," said he, "Noble Samos. But it will be in my own tent, on the submission mats, that I will teach a slave to be a slave." Tribesmen of Gor, page 34
Free Women of the Tahari
� Free Women wore gowns, cloaks and veils. The most common was the haik, which is actually worn by both Free Women and slaves. It is often black and covers a woman from head to toe. A tiny piece of black lace lies over the eyes so that she may see. The women also wear black, non-heeled slippers with curled toes decorated sometimes with a line of silver thread. Slaves are naked beneath a haik save for their collar. Free Women also wear skirts.
� A virgin bell is worn around the ankle of free girls to signal they are available as Free Companions.
� Some skills useful of a woman of the tahari (free and slave).
"Find Aya," I would tell her. "Beg her to put you to work." Aya was one of the slave women of Farouk.Once she dared to say to me, "But Aya makes me do all her work!" "Hurry!" I told her.Of course Aya exploited her. It was my intention taht she should. But, too, Aya, with her kaiila strap, continued her lessons in Gorean. Too, she taught her skills useful to a Tahari female, the making of ropes from kaiila hair, the cutting and plaiting of reins, the weaving of cloth and mats, the decoration and beading of the leather goods, the use of the mortar and pestle, the use of the grain quern, the perparation and spicing of stews, the cleaning of verr and, primarily when we camped near watering holes in the vicinity of the nomads, the milking of verr and kaiila. Too, she was taught the churning of milk in skin bags."She is making me learn the labors of a free woman," once had complained Alyena to me.I had gestured her to her knees. "You are a poor sort," I told er. "To a nomad I may sell you. In his tent the heavy labors of the free woman will doubtless be yours, in addition to the labors of the slave.""I would have to work as a free woman," she whispered, "and yet be also a slave?""Yes," I said.She shuddered. "Sell me to a rich man," she begged."I will sell you, or give you, or loan you, or rent you," I said, "to whomsoever I please."Tribesmen of Gor, pages 72-73
Slaves of the Tahari
� The general clothing of the Taharian slaves is chalwar. Chalwar by definition is much similar to the harem trousers of earth; the pants bear a sash The pants are a baggy diaphonous silk, very sheer. The vest is of the same color, also silk, and bears the midriff. In the Kasbah, girls in training as 'whitesilks' will wear white. Once moving on, the color is silver of the state slave. Slaves also wear the haik, but underneath they are naked, save for their collars. Slaves may also wear skirts, blouses, jackets, and slippers.
� Also included in a slave's attire may be the slave djellaba which is repcloth and varies in color, coming high on the thighs of the wearer. In the caravan, it is what a slave may use to sleep in.
� Slaves also wore veils held by a tiny (sometimes golden) string, ear rings, bangles on wrists and ankles, and dancing chains.
Angrily Alyena.. took the tiny, triangular yellow veil, utterly diaphanous, and held it before her face, covering hte lower portion of her face. the veil was drawn back and she held it at her ears. The light silk was held across the bridge of her nose, where, beautifully, its porous, yellow sheen broke to the left and right. Her mouth, angry, was visible behind the veil. It, too, covered her chin. The mouth of a woman, by men of the Tahari, and by Goreans generally, is found extremely provocative, sexually. The slave veil is a mockery, in its way. It reveals, as much as conceals, yet it adds a touch of subtlety, mystery; slave veils are made to be torn away, the lips of the master then crushing those of the slave.Tribesmen of Gor, page 69
� The walking chain is used on both Free Women and slaves. It is used to measure one's stride. A measured gait is considered attractive in the Tahari.
� The slave hobble is used often at night in the caravans. The slave hobble is a chain.
When finished with her, I would cross Alyena's ankles and, with the walking chain, suitably shortened, chain them together. That way she could not stand. I would throw her her brief djellaba against the desert cold, and order her to a position of sleep. On the mat, toward morning, she would pull the hood over her face, fold her arms and pull up her legs, knees bent; the djellaba came far up her thighs. Tribesmen of Gor, page 81
� Seraglio: a slave kennel
� Punishments in the Tahari:
Once she stole a date. I did not whip her. I chained her, arms over her head, back against the trunk, to a flahdah tree. I permitted nomad children to discomfit her. They are fiendish little beggars. They tickled her with the lanceolate leaves of the tree. They put honey about her, to attract the tiny black sand flies, which infest such water holes in the spring.Tribesmen of Gor, page 81
Animals of the Tahari
� The desert kaiila is a mount used of the men of the Tahari. It is also known as the 'sand kaiila' and is and omnivorous animal that is related to the souther kaiila. It is a lofty, proud, silken, long-necked, smooth-gaited animal and stands 20 to 22 hands at the shoulder. The kaiila reins are light reins, plaited with 10 to 12 strips, thinner than a thread, of dyed leather, but are very strong and durable. The caravan kaiila are pack animals and mounts; these are more often and almost always belled so that the animals do not stray to far and can be found in the desert winds when sometimes one cant even see directly in front of them. Caravans are normally slow moving and silent and the bells alert the people to passers where without bells one may unknowingly pass another within yards without ever seeing that other person. Normally only raiders ride without bells.
� In caravans, at night, the animals, as well as slaves, are hobbled. With the kaiila, a simple figure-eight twist of kaiila-hair rope, above the spreading paws, below the knees, is used.
� Birds: zadit (zad), it eats on insects.
Terrain/Geography/Climate of the Tahariincluding flora and fauna
� The Tahari is a desert region that is also known as the 'Tahari Wastes.' The deserts contain various oasis springs and deep wells.
� Some Aretai strong holds: Oasis of Nine Wells, Oasis of the Battle of Red Rock
� The sand, struck by the sun, can reach temperatures on its surface of more than 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Ony a foot or two below the surface, these temperatures are reduced by more than fifty degrees. Because of the lack of surface water, the nights, the sun gone, are cool, even chilly at times. The nights often require a heavy djellaba or a blanket. Fires are often burnt in the center of the nomads tents at night to keep their feet warm, though often a Master would also have His slave girl at His feet to warm them at night.
� In the Tahari there are constant winds; they blow from north or northwest. It is a hot wind, yet without it, the desert would seem almost inbearable. Though, sometimes dust storms emerge, blocking all from your view; many times one has to shield himself for fear of being buried by it.
� There are parts of the deserts where it is 'hilly.' These areas have much scrub brush, large rocks strewn about, and dust and gravel underfoot. On the shaded sides of some rocks and hills, brownish patches of verr grass grows.
� The flahdah is a tree of the Tahari, similar to the leaning palm trees of earth. These grow often around water holes, sometimes a dozen or so--more so around oasis. They look like flat-topped umbrellas on crooked sticks and stand around 20 feet high.
� The date palms grow to more than a hundred feet high. It takes more than ten years before they begin to bear fruit and then yield fruit for more than a century. A tree, annually, may grow as much as one to five gorean weights of fruit. A weight is of ten stone (approx. 40 earth lbs)
Tahari Foods and Drinks
� The major drink of the Tahari is bazi tea. This is a very aromatic tea of the Bazi leaves; it is served hot and heavily sugared in three tiny cups; it is similar to the orange pekoe of Earth.
� Water is sacred in the Tahari. One of the worst crimes in the Tahari is the destroying of a water source. Water is precious in the Tahari and not a drop is wasted. It is regarded as an almost inconceivable crime, surely the most heinous which might be perpetrated upon the desert. Such an act, regarded as a monstrosity, goes beyond a simple act of war.
I lifted the bag, drinking deeply. I replaced the plug and put back the bag, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. . . In sharing their water I had made myself, by custom of the Tahari, their guest. Tribesmen of Gor, page 143
� Another drink of the Tahari is blackwine. The first slave summoned carries the pot of blackwine; the second slave carried the sugars and additives. Hence just the opposite of how it is served in other cultures.
Ibn Saran, not taking his eyes from Alyena, lifted his finger. From one side a slave girl, barefoot, bangled, in sashed, diaphanous, trousered chalwar, gathered at the ankles, in tight, red-silk vest, with bare midriff, fled to him, with the tall, graceful, silvered pot containing the black wine. She was veiled. She knelt, replenishing the drink. Beneath her veil I saw the metal of her collar. I had not thought to have such fortune. She did not look at me. She returned to her place wit the pot of black wine. Ibn Saran lifted another finger. From the side there hastened to him another girl, a fair skinned, red haired girl. She too, wore veil, vest, chalwar, bangles, collar. She carried a tray, on which were various spoons and sugars. She knelt, placing her tray on the table. With a tiny spoon, its tip no more that a tenth of a hort in diameter, she placed four measures of white sugar, and six of yellow, in the cup; with two stirring spoons, one for the white sugar, another for the yellow, she stirred the beverage after each measure. She then held the cup to the side of her cheek, testing its temperature; Ibn Saran glanced at her; she, looking at him, timidly kissed the side of the cup and placed it before him. Then her head down, she withdrew. I did not turn to look back at the first girl, she who held the silvered pot. Tribesmen of Gor, pageS 88-89
Other Information of the Tahari
� Nomads move in caravans; it is almost suicide to wander in the desert alone.
� Mats are used for sitting upon or for screens.
� The kurdah is a small, light, semi-circular tent and is carried by a pack kaiila in which women (slave or Free) may ride. The frame is of temwood, is very light, and is covered with layers of white rep-cloth to reflect the sun. The slave is not bothered being chained inside, the desrt serves as the slave's cage as none can survive in the desert, on foot, alone. A slave may even sit upon the cushion inside.
..she sat within, her knees to the left, her ankles together, her weight partly on ther hands, to the right, on the small, silk-covered cushion of the frame. Tribesmen of Gor, page 69
� For cooking, there are "boards of metal" that are placed over rocks, they are 2' in length and exposed to the sun. These are used by nomad women for frying.
Set on rocks, boards of metal some two feet in length, and six inches wide, exposed to the sun, are sometimes used by the nomad women in frying foods. Tribesmen of Gor
� The conservation of body water is crucial, people of the tahari move rather slow when travelling in the desert and often wear white to reflect the rays of the sun. A person sweats as little as possible.
� Veminium oils are used in the deserts, where the desert veminium, a purplish flower, are boiled in water. The vapor which boils off is condensed into oil. This oil is used to perfume water. This water is not drunk but is used in middle and upper-class homes to rinse the eating hand, before and after the evening meal.
[the slave] had rinsed our right hands with veminium water, poured over our hand, into a small, shallow bowl of beaten copper" Tribesmen of Gor, page 61
� Decomposition in the desert is slow. Often it is hard to tell if a body had lain for only days or years. Skeletons are rarely found in the desert unless picked by birds or other animals. � The opening of the Tahari tent usually faces east so that the morning sun may warm it. This keeps the tent a bit warmer for the gorean night, which is often chilly.
� Sereem diamonds and opals are rare stones in the Tahari and valuable for trade.
� Those of the Tahari depend heavily upon trade. Even animals of the Tahari are rarely eaten because they are worth more as trade and transportation.
� Imports: rep-cloth; emboroidered cloths; silks; rugs; silver; gold; jewelries; mirros; kailiauk tusk; perfumes; hides; skins; feathers; precious woods; tools; needles; worked, leather goods; salt; nuts and spices; jungle birds-pets; weapons; rough woods; sheets of tin and copper; the tea of Bazi; wool from the bounding Hurt; decorated, beaded whips; female slaves (of which fair skinned ones gain the most profit)
� Exports: mainly dates and pressed-date bricks
� On a final note, remember that not all people of the Tahari are nomads, most live in the oasis of the desert.
Kasbah, Defined
As defined by: Encyclopedia of the Orient
� " Traditional fortress, palace of towns in pre-colonial North Africa."
� " The kasbah served as the seat of the local ruler, or feudal master, as well as the hiding place of the local population during attacks. The kasbah was constructed for defence, with high walls, small or none windows. Often kasbahs exploited the terrain, and was situated on hill tops, or near the approach to harbours. "
� " In general, at times all villages had each their kasbah, and the existence of a kasbah was a prerequisite for the survival of the village. In some areas, villages could be consisting of several kasbahs, this often expressing the wealth of individual families. "
� " Kasbahs survived into the time of colonisation, which stretched from 1830 until around 1930, starting in northern Algeria, and finishing in remote areas in the interior of the region, or in the mountains. "
As defined by Norman:
� The Kasbah was often classified as a fort yet was also used for trade, entertainment and as living quarters. The Kasbahs often had tiled flooring that was covered by finely woven rugs. The rugs were so precious that not only slaves, but also often the Free Persons would walk the rugs along the walls of each room so as not to wear down the hand woven rugs covering the central flooring of a room.
� The Kasbahs were surrounded by a high wall to keep out invaders. In times of trouble the walls were closed securely and locked even against the common townsfolk living in the Oasis.
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