With respect to the household slaves, little or no difference is to be perceived between them and freemen, and they are often entrusted with the affairs of their master.

These domestic slaves are rarely sold, and on the death of any of the family to which they belong, one or more of them receive their liberty; when, being accustomed to the country, and not having any recollection of their own, they marry, settle, and are consequently considered as naturalised.

It was the custom, when the people were more opulent, to liberate a male or female on the feast of Bairam, after the fast of Rhamadan.

This practice is not entirely obsolete, but nearly so.

In Mourzouk there are some white families, who are called mamlukes, being descended from renegades, whom the bashaw had presented to the former sultan.