Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1910 — HOUSES IN FEZ. [ARTICLE]

HOUSES IN FEZ.

The Roofs In the Early Evening Are Exclusively for Women. In Fez, the capital of Morocco, most of the houses consist of several stories, each being provided with a light veranda running round it and connecting the rooms. All the windows and doors open out into the patio, or courtyard, the window openings in the upper stories being covered with qlose trellis-work. All the houses have flat roofs, with a wall some four to six feet high running around, and from 4 p. m. until sunset the roofs are given over to the ladies exclusively, who can then walk about and take the fresh air without being seen by any of the opposite sex. This reservation is a law which is never broken, and no man would be guilty of being seen on his or on any other roof during the forbidden hours. Owing to the fact that the women of the house are not allowed to be seen by any other man than their lord and master all domestic offices are situated away from the house proper. In many of the larger houses, besides the water fountains, others playing scent or scented water are to be found. Sections of the courtyard also are slightly sunk, and these portions are filled with scented oil, which Is used to perfume the rooms. The Moors are exceptionally particular in discarding their foot gear before entering a room or crossing a rug or carpet. They even change slippers before entering the courtyard from the street. Thus the houses are kept beautifully cleaq and sweet and are not, as many people would suppose, musty or close.