The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-15

The Howling Dsrvishes OF the East.
Perhaps same account Of the orgies OF the Howl
ing Dsrvishes AZ now practiced in Turkey-thsre
being little surgery in their fanatical antics-may
be interesting to the readers Of the Journal This
order really and truly the descendants Of the fire
worshipers Of antiquity the Baalits, four hum
dred OF whose priests were slain by Elijah the
prophet, near the town Of Kypher, about two mics
to the North of the convent on Mount Carmel
When Mohammedanism began to spread, under
the irresistible influence Of Damascus blades, these
mad fellows gradually incorporated enough OF the
new doctrine with their own bloody rites to be
spared, and in these latter days the priests Of Baa
and their devout disciples embrace the most ortho
dox sanctfed Mussulmen of the East. At Scutari,
where one mosque is located on the East side of
the Bosphorus, was fortunate in gaining admis-
sion and though compelled to stand in my stocking
feet than hour, felt compensated for this
sacrice well as that Of wading through mud
and passing another hour under the caves, before
gaining admission into the sanctunn sanctoruns.
The mosque has side galleries-one being occu-
pied by males, and the opposite boarded up to the
top with fac lattice work, by females. who can
peep through without being seen No females are
admitted on the lower floor. .On entering from the
front door, turned to the right in sort Of long
pew, rallied off from the main floor Of the mosque,
probably forty five feet square. At one end or
rather the upper side of the apartment, sat the prn-
cpai priest Of about fifty, with keen, restless
eyes. lie was supported on the right and left by
other but inferior priests, designated by the magni-
tude and structure Of their turbaAs and robes.
Back OF them next the wall, were several very large
fat, grey bearded, eminent men, WE'LL accommoda-
ted on soft mats. Two lateral lines Of worshipers
extended down toward the lower end Of the mosque.
Suspended the wall back Of the chief operators,
were horrible looking axes one had cutting edge
of full two feet, with long handle. Then there
were hooks, sharp spears, etc. etc. The collection
large and made ones flesh crawl not little to
look at it. On the line midway between the floor
and galleries were twenty-thres large tamborins,
eleven small drums, and eight pair Of metal GYM
balls.
For considerable time they were in = kind Of
ecstatic prayer, wagging their heads either way,
with closed eyes and outspread hands, while the
priest kept up demi-muscal recitative articula-
ton. BY and BY they simultaneously sprang to
their feet, formed circle. placing their arms over
each other 8 shoulders, and performing some thing
analogous to dance, stamping to the time OF a
monotonous chant, and moving round and round in
circle. A low hum, not dissimilar to the drone
OF bagpIpe, as heard in Scotland, an octave be-
low the tone Of the leader. produced striking
effect, upon myself By degrees they warmed
up. and as the Juror began to approach, garment
after garment was detached, and some were wild
as manacs in their gestculatons. Next the circle
broke and lines were formed. The singing became
more impassisned, and there they Stood bowing
and swayng without moving their feet, precisely
the dancing girls of Upper Egypt entertain their
patrons. Finally, two stout fellows, stripped to
the skin, all but their drawers, marched to the
priest, who put into their hands two wooden balls
each, projecting from which were poniards ten
inches long, sharp and bright. They fourshed
them in all directions, bowed, whired about the
balls, nearly the ordinary size Of ne-pin balls,
with such careless activity, that l endeavored
to get behind pillar, lest one Of them should fly
from their grasp in my direction.
At tho moment when the whole assembly o
worshipers wrought to the highest bearablt
point OF excitement, amid the din Of the tambo
rims, drums. cymbals, chants, and intermitten
howls-which latter were low, solemn and un
earthly-ens Of them fell his back with tn,
sharp point Of the dagger resting on the pit Of h
stomach. With firm grasp he held it perpendic
uarly-the balls being free at the other end
above his clnched fingers. One Of the priests
supported by the hands Of two assis. ants, steppe
up and stood with one foot on the balls-and
trembed lest his weight should drive the dagge
through the body Of the infatuated creature. Blu
by his prodgous strength he supported the pom
derous old priest, and kept the dagger from beinI
forced through to the floor. This was denomi
mated miraculous circumstance. Next, five boys
from twelve down to not far from six years Of age
came up to the same priest, who took sharp stee
rod, the size Of the largest sail needle, having
heavy fiat handle in the form Of a crozer and thrui
it through both cheeks Of each boy-the handle o
side, and the protruding point on the othe
giving all Of ten inches in length to the instr
ment. Being between the jaws, ths teeth cou
not be closed. The youngest fnched q trifle, b.
the others were perfectly firm. They then toe
their places, unable to close the mouth. while Il
blood tricked down to the chin Their distorte
countenances were extremely painful to conteu
plate.
At this stage Of the exhibition miracles were
be wrought for the recovery Of sick persons o.
after another laid fat on their backs and the o
priest stepped on their bodies and bore his who
weight on the chest Five were PROSTATE at ono
over whom he walked, giving each the pressure
his holy feet. One female was introduced, veile
who was placed on her face. An infant, too w
placed under the torture of his pontifca trea
When the steel stettoes were withdrawn fro
the cheeks Of the boys, examined the wounds
one of them, and the little deceived chap declar
that it did not hurt him, and the gaping crowd
undignifed Mussulmen viewed it most m,
veous matter that they were not injured, pain
or maimed-a convincing proof to them Of I
divine nature Of the act. Government have, to
honor, forbidden many of the cruel acts heretofc
practiced by this sect being too sbominab
both ia the act and tendency. The feats 1 bshe
are only occasional. An American missionsl