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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