Beatrice Harrington

What people wore

The Algerian burnous for men

The burnous, a hooded wool cloak, was a common garment for men, symbolizing dignity and status. A finely stitched burnous could cost sixty francs at the turn of the century.

Getting around

Horse-drawn public stagecoaches for inland travel

Ordinary travelers often used horse-drawn public stagecoaches, known as diligences, to reach remote villages where trains did not operate. These carriages were frequently described as shaky and uncomfortable, with long, tiring journeys across rough terrain.

At the table

Daily soup and bread for peasant settlers

Peasant settlers in the Sahel region ate soup three times a day, seasoned with oil or fat, while abstaining from butcher meat and wine. To sustain themselves between meals, they ate bread rubbed with garlic or onion, or occasionally raw herring or cod.

Music

Traditional Algerian instrument

The Algerian kuwītra was a notable instrument used by local musicians, including figures who later helped preserve and teach song traditions.

Daily life

Coffee Preparation in Traditional Cafes

In traditional cafes, water was boiled in large earthen pots supported on three stones, and coffee was served in small cups for one sou. The coffee was often served with the grounds included, requiring drinkers to avoid the bottom of the cup.

Work

Memorable facts of daily work life

Post office clerks in Algeria were so isolated and overworked that one described their existence as perpetual slavery, often without the ability to leave their office even after official hours due to constant telegram duties. Meanwhile, migrant workers often traveled in rotations, with men leaving their villages in Algeria for mainland France for predetermined periods of only a few months.