In the cafes of Biskra, on the edge of the Sahara, I am told, there dance the Ouled-Nails, who thus earn their marriage dowers. Here may be seen half-breeds from Algiers, Moroccans, Kabyles from the desert, Bedouins at home only on horse-back, and stately Arabs, in white burnouses, lined with red; and all are watching the entertainment staged at the end of the smoke-filled room.
Not the bray of the saxophone, but the exotic wail of tabellas (native pipes) mingles with thrumming of the bendir (Arab drum). Dancing to this savage music are a row of girls, who generally come from the desert tribes. Their dancing is what we call "Egyptian", mostly posturing and wriggling of arms and body.
When they have earned enough gold sequins to make a breast-plate they return home. The dowry thus gained by dancing is given, in due course, to some camel driver or Arab shepherd.
The Irish Times, April 9th, 1931