A TAWAREK EATING,
that he would be pleased to see me. He then picked
up his iron lance from where it leant against the
wall and stalked majestically from the room.
We had at last succeeded in our search. But it
yet remained to visit the Tawareks’ camp, and to
take those photographs of their faces which had
been the main object of our journey.
But though we had found these people I felt
considerable doubt as to whether we should be able
to induce them to unveil, for a Tawarek practically
never removes his mask. He considers it grossly
immodest to show his face even to members of his
own family. He accordingly keeps it continually
concealed by his litham. He lives in it, sleeps in
it, and never even removes it while eating or drinking,
he merely pulls it away from the lower part of his
face, and passes the food or cup up to his mouth
from beneath it.