The Moorish Woman

PM Neist
Postcards From The Colony
2 min readJun 27, 2023

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June 8, 1912. When French teacher Remy sends a postcard describing the costumes of native algerian people. The postcard mentions a photograph that is not in my possession but is described in the text.

Black and white photograph from 1912 depicting a Moorish woman wearing a white blouse and flowy pants. Her arms are lifted. She is wearing bangles and a headdress composed of a light veil and jewelry.

Médéa le 8 juin 1912.

Chers parents.

Nous avons reçu votre carte du 4 Juin. Nous sommes tous quatre en très bonne santé et espérons que maman sera promptement rétabli (sic). Ci-joint une photo — Mimi et Georgette tout en arabe et mauresque. La petite à gauche est la petite d’une espagnole maitresse d’un riche arabe de Médéa. Les 2 garçons sont de petits arabes qui sont dans notre classe. Ce sont des enfants qui seront très riches plus tard. Nous vous embrassons tendrement. Remy.

Medea June 8, 1912.

Dear parents.

We received your card dated June 4. All four of us are in very good health et we hope mother will get better very soon. Attached is a photo — Mimi and Georgette in Arab and Moorish outfits. The little girl on the left is the little one of a Spanish woman who is the mistress of a very rich Arab of Medea. The two boys are young Arabs in our class. These children will be very rich one day. Tender kisses. Remy.

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PM Neist
Postcards From The Colony

Artist. Storyteller. Textile. Embroidery. Portraits. Flash Fiction. Nano Fiction. Whimsical, irreverent, tender.