They Are an Artful, Debauched Lot
An anecdote from the travels of Ibn al-Mujawir:
The island has cultivated areas and buildings; also towns and villages, some unknown to each other. Everyone hangs a cross
around his neck, each according to his rank. Around the edges of the island are many landing places, like Bandar Musa and
Ras Mumi.
The lifestyle of the people of these coastal areas is tied up with pirates, since the latter come and stay with them for six
months at a time, selling them their loot. They eat and drink with them and have sexual relations with their wives. They are
an artful, debauched lot, procurers, their old women more active in this than the men. As a poet has recited:
Were one of their old women to be cast into the depths of the sea,
she would come ashore leading a whale.
By her cunning she can lead along a thousand mules,
Even if they are led by a spider’s thread!