Introductory intertitle reads: "This is Malmata, which is too good a name for such a place - "

High angle shot of a Sahara landscape. There are large holes in the sand which presumably lead to underground homes. Camera pans. L/S of three men walking towards the camera on a dirt road. "Home is just a big hole in the desert - " High angle shot of the area in front of one of the homes. Two women stand in the yard. A woman and two children stand outside one of the desert homes.

"Hold your seats - we're entering the real harem of a desert Sheik." M/S of a woman working on a weaving loom. Group of women at work - hard to see what they are doing due to decomposition. "Favourite wives - they come by the dozen here - " C/U of one of the wives - beautiful women wearing scarves and lots of jewellery. The camera pans to show other wives but badly decomposed. C/U of a woman grinding corn.

"A good donkey is more highly esteemed than a wife!" M/S of a donkey being led into an underground stable. C/U of a cute child carrying a baby goat. C/U of the child's face - he looks at the camera. He strikes another pose.

Was an item in Pathe Pictorial issue number 615.

Safety print only. Originally decomposed and destroyed.