The weekly union record., 1865-04-08
Arab Fire Eaters.

/ Algeria. He says; A short time since, /
received notice through friendly Moor. that
BY going into Algiers on certain night. we
might see the ceremonies Of the celebrated Ere
eaters Ii seems that particular Arab tribe,
called the Children of n-Aissa preserved the
following legend Of one Of their deser, prophets.
true disciple Of Mahomei. AiSsa being one
day in the desert with number of his followers.
they complained TO him Of hanger. whereupon
Aisss replied 10 them that, If they had faith.
they might eat FIRE, ihorns, and insects. ard
would find nouriShment therein :" on which bis
followers obeyed the hint and iouud their hun
ger sppeased. At certain intervals their
descendants meet to initiate their proceedings
and this is how they set about il. ln the court
of a small Moorish house, in the upper part o.
the old town Of Algiers, open to the stars,
which were constantly obscured by the gusiy
clouds. we found about thirty Arabs Of the
Een-Aissa and the aged scheik Of the tribe. q
venerable gentleman. with tuToan and long
beard. We were politely accommodated with
seats. and took our station under the arcade to
watch the preparations, which consisted in
drying huge tambours over brszier. in order
that they might be well stretched, and make
thereby a more hldeous noise. When all was
ready, hall dozen OF the company, including
a hideous and exceedingly jolly negro. seated
themselves 10 a row, aud began to beat their
tambours in a scientific and affecting manner.
living one the sensation that the house was
coming about ones ears. Presently they struck
iu with monotonous chauut. which swung
heavily in time 10 the drumming, till at length
an Arab, seated among the company, but not
himself a drummer, leaped forth with Shriil
cry, and, placing himself in front Of the rest.
began to waggle his head in helpless epileptic
manner, as il all the muscles Of bis neck were
loose. Presently, the motion communicated
self TO the rest OF his body, every limb Of
which waggled. No other word can describe
the circular motion, which made me sick 10
look at. and seemed TO sway, like the smoke Of
q windy chimney all ways OF once. When
this had gone on a quarter of an hour, he sud
denly stopped, and began yelling out ln
Arabic) for fire. Fire was quickly brought to
him, in the pleasing and palatable shape Of
red hot shovel. which be licked with great
deliberation, and then struck sharply with his
open palm Not finding bis hunger sppeased.
he nexl crouched down before the scbeik, and
began munching away at huge cactus leaf,
covered with spines. which was held out by the
chief exactly as one might feed donkey with
thistle. The Arab tore out great pieces Of
the thick, pulpy leaf, crunching it, prickles and
u
been the best morsel in the world then he got
up, and walked pensiveiy about the court, bis
eyes on the ground, while second leaped out
and began TO go through the same eyolutions.
This one bad long hair which, being unbound.
few about crafty, and added greatly TO the
wildness of bis appearance. Upon which the
first, again catching the contagion, flung one
arm round him, and they both set to dancing
and shaking more mady than ever. 1t is this
juncture which is given in the sketch After
again licking red hot shovels and muuchng
cactus leaves, they were joined by third, who
took a long green snake out of box. and
twisted it round his neck and arms As the
head of the reptile came aarmingly near TO me
during the turns of the dances, | did not tud
this part OF the proceeding at all pleasant, as
you may well believe. But the worst was yet
TO come. Taking two long iron skewers the
third worthy carefully stuck them through the
lower ieshy parts of his cheeks, so that they
crossed in the mouth and came out between
the lips like cats whiskers; then, pulling out
quantity OF loose skin and flesh in front Of his
throat, be stuck another skewer through that,
and went bowling ecstatically about the court.
as if be had rendered the most acceptable act
possible TO humanity By this time twas ten
o'clock, and We had had enough of the exhib-
tion, so we took our leave politely but we
understand that they sometimes go to great
excesses, balancing on naked swords, aud
dancing as many as twenty at q time; also,
that the women who look down from the upper
gallery catch the contagion, and darce frantic
ally, too, the whole being mixture oi Bedlam
and dance Of devils. 1t remains to add that
part Of their proceedings are trick and part
brutality, and that they suffer severely some
days after, when the freDzed excitement OF the
hour is passed Then the skewers and the Jumps
Of cactus begin to tell very unpleassniy!