Volume 2

59


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Malagasy Equilibrists Made Perfect by Practice Zouia Woman and Child at Buseima

MALAGASY EQUILIBRISTS MADE PERFECT BY PRACTICE

ZOUIA WOMAN AND CHILD AT BUSEIMA

Malagasy women practise the virtually world-wide custom of carrying their waterpots on their heads, thereby acquiring noticeable erectness of figure. The circular shape of the Malagasy siny, or pot, does not lend itself easily to this method, but practice makes the women so adept that some of them can balance one on their head unsupported by hand, while carrying a child on their back They belong to a widely scattered tribe of mingled Arab and Berber descent. Many of these women are quite pretty, with pale olive faces, finely cut features, pointed chins, and dark eyes. As the child's nose ring indicates, the Zouia are fond of ornaments