Cities of North Africa, 1935

[Music] we entered the city by the Avenue jwes fery a magnificent tree shaded Boulevard named in honor of the French Statesman responsible for the occupation of Tunisia since the coming of the French in 1881 a new modern Tunis has been built quite apart from the original native City so that today there are two distinct centers French and the Arab and the Tunisian May adapt himself to Western civilization if he chooses or retain his old mode of living within the Oriental town the Avenue def France favorite prominade and important business thoroughfare leads to the port def France the principal entrance to the Old City beyond the gate is the plast La a small square which is the Terminus of the two main native thoroughfares we wander through the native streets of the city that was built largely from the ruins of ancient Carthage and UA graceful mineral reps rise above the mosques which are closed to Christians and unbelievers in accordance with the promise made by the French at the time of their Invasion lay down your arms and we will respect your mask resist us and we will desecrate them from the Palace of the bay we look out upon the housetops of Tunis which at Sunset will be crowded with women as men at this hour remain below lest they see the uncovered faces of their neighbors wives [Music] the baker chooses a busy spot in the open and there sells his unwrapped [Music] bread but the sweet meat maker carries his Confections about and sets up shop wherever he finds a customer sticky candy made from dates and nuts this tiny kitchen is large enough to serve a small restaurant and an open air Cafe perhaps the most interesting parts of the Medina are the soups the roof covered Lanes where Artisans make and sell their wees and Merchants display various articles to tempt foreigners as is the custom of the East trades generally keep together a decided advantage to the purchaser who can compare prices and quality of similar articles the streets are often named after the Wares that are solded them this is the street of the [Music] shoemakers the white robes and the Black mask-like Veils of the Muslim women create an impression of iress which is perhaps the most lasting of all that we carry with us when leaving [Music] Tunis for over three centuries and prior to France's occupancy in 1830 alers was the stronghold of those dreaded Terrors of the sea the barbery Pirates and now is known as the Paris of North Africa the old Arab City and the French one surrounding it rise directly from the shores of the Harbor bernds from the desert wait for a bus to carry them to sou Algeria fine buildings face the harbor along the boulevards Koo and republ the rud de Constantine is but one of the many imposing streets in the European quarter along some arcaded sidewalks have been built offering shelter from rain or the hot African Sun the the mosque jamama El jadid in the plast like all other mosque in alers may be visited by unbelievers buses roll in from everywhere pack capacity both inside and out a thriving business is always done as the algerians have succumbed to the Mad pace of modern motoring and without caring where they go will often spend their last Frank on a pleasure ride a shack from the desert takes him to sight [Music] Muslim women in alers continue to wear the veil and Run for Cover when the evil eye a camera appears little equipment is required for The Barbers trade a chair a razor and a victim all that are needed the barber is also a dentist as a few of his extractions Testify the kasba quarter appears today very much as it did when the Pirates ruled and pillaged Mediterranean shipping many of the narrow streets which zigzag up and down through the hilly town are merely series of [Music] steps no vehicles can enter the kasba quarter so all trucking must be done with small donkeys over some of the streets the upper stories of the houses meet [Music] [Music] through these narrow Lanes passes a continuous stream of picturesque traffic almost as unchanged in appearance as this unaltered main portion of old alers the one-time stronghold of the Pirates of the barber [Music] Coast the most conspicuous landmark of rabbat is the unfinished Hassan Tower from its Summit we look down upon the wall city of old rabbat situated at the mouth of the river BG gr on the Atlantic coast across the river is Sal once the principal slave market of Morocco the walls of old robat are still well preserved and effectively separate the Mish City from the modern French one old rabbat was the key city of Morocco for many of the Caravan routs to and from the interior converged here the bazaars have long been famous for the great variety of their wees and for the workshops of Artisans whose products of leather and wool are known throughout Morocco native doctors have no offices so hold consultations in the busy streets there are not only doctors but druggists as well and before them are the medicines the herbs and charms which are prescribed the Stalls of the merchants are so small that the largest part of their business has to be conducted in the street a non too appetizing butcher shop one slightly better [Music] a [Music] grocery a Spice [Music] Merchant the flowing cloak likee garment worn by the Moroccans is called the bero [Music] the ancient method of carrying water in is still in use a drink for a thirsty [Music] one some of the streets in the bazaars are covered with pal branches or Reeds and grass they upon trellises many of The Artisans work in these covered [Music] soups boys begin learning a trade when young shifting threads their Masters the tailor who work far back in dark shops sewing patterns on beroes a style of hairdressing appropriate for the hot weather and also convenient when Allah grabs and pulls them into [Music] heaven just outside the walls of old Rabat is the Palace of the sultan [Music] [Music] descendants of the famous black soldiers of the notorious Sultan mulah ishma guard the residence of the man who now under the direction of the French governor rules the once independent Empire of Morocco [Music]