Quanzar Tribal Travel Wives

Amongst the highland tribes of Barqash there is the interesting tribal custom of providing “travel wives” to honoured guests. Important diplomatic guests from the capital or other friendly tribes, British Army officers, wealthy merchants and others will be offered a “travel wife” to provide their cooking, cleaning and, er, other wifely duties for the duration of the visit. The wives themselves are usually widows, or women whose husbands are away for extended period, and to be a travel wife is seen as an honour within the tribal culture within the rules of hospitality.