“The fact is that when a child is born here they anoint him once a week with sesame oil, and this turns him a great deal darker than when he was born. For let me tell you that the blackest men here are held in highest regard and considered superior to those who are not so black. And I will tell you another thing too. You may take my word for it is that these people portray and paint all their gods and idols black and the devils are as white as snow.”
Marco Polo (1254-1324), “Travels in the Land of Serpents and Pearls”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 