maraboutish

Updated: May 17, 2025

The Shânbah, 700 strong, had been ravaging the country of the Ghat Touaricks, and had murdered thirty-seven people. The Touaricks were arming, and in pursuit of the Shânbah assassins. Besides this, the Shânbah have captured a Ghadamsee ghafalah, escorted by Touaricks, not respecting a jot the Maraboutish character of this city.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846

The hardships of The Desert are the greatest safeguards against indulgence in, or the pleasures of, an emasculating sensuality amongst the Touaricks, whilst the ascetic habits of the Maraboutish city of Ghadames sufficiently protect that people from the general indulgence of libertinism, and unnatural crimes. Intoxication, or habitual drunkenness, is, of course, unknown in these Saharan regions.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846

Gagliuffi, who previously insisted upon sprucing me up a bit, and removing my Maraboutish appearance by getting me a new red cap or fez. My Christian hat was left at Ghadames. It was impossible to wear it in Desert or towns, for people always said I looked like a Christian devil when I wore the European black hat. We found His Highness just recovered from a month's indisposition.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846

These charms will then render me great assistance." I I have already said Rais is as big a ninny in these superstitious matters as any of his Maraboutish subjects. 3rd. Am still in great doubt as to the route I shall take for the interior. Every route has its separate advantages, and separate dangers.

James Richardson - Travels in the Great Desert of Sahara, in the Years of 1845 and 1846