ABSTRACT
The distinguishing external features of the old houses of the Red Sea and some other Islamic and Indian styles are the large casement-windows jutting-out into the street to catch the slightest passing breeze. In Egypt they are called mashrabiyas, but in Suakin and Jedda they were known as roshans. They were the focal point of life within a room as well as the main feature of the house from without. At least one of these impressive pieces of woodwork was found in every living-room; many had two and occasionally there were three. 10
