American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-10
A Visit to the HOwlIng Dervishes at
Smyrna.

SUNDAY comes three times a week in
Smyrna. The Turkish day of worship Is
on Friday, the day of Mohammed's
Hegira; Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath,
and Sunday is supposed to be observed
by the Franks" or English, Roman and
came down in the morning to say that
we could see and hear the bowling der
wishes if we would like So we started at
about ten o'clock, and followed him
through the labyrinthinal streets up into
Turktown, and stopped at length before a
small, unpretending edifce. In front and
between it and the street was garden of
tropical and native plants and trees !; low
palms and bright flowers; purple olives
and golden pOmegranites shining in the
rich, golden foliage. We entered through
an ample gateway and crossed mosaic
pavement of little black and white stones,
to a paved court of the same, which sur
rounded the building on three sides. On
one side was another, smaller building,
open on the side facing the larger one,
into which those who took part in the
ceremonies retired from time to time. We
were not allowed to enter the building,
but might leok in through the doors or
windows. Around the sides of the larger
hall or room, were old men with long white
boards and flowing robes young men
with rich tuIbans and sashes of crimson
and cloth of gold; little, bright-eyed boys
with turban and fez robes, like their older
and sterner-looking companions. Many
wear green turban, signifying that the
wearer has made pilgrimage to Mecca.
All were seated in the Turkish manner;
leaving large open space in the center.
Presently one, in long, flowing white
robe, stood in the center Of the reOm. and
commenced the chant in a low dismal
tone. Then others arose, and forming a
circle around him, took up the chant
from time to time. Each one as he join
ed the circle, put his right arm around
one neighbours neck, and his left around
the others waist, the little boys joining
in the circle with as much earnestness as
any of the rest. All the time the low
cultural chant centinues-Allah Heui
Allah Heul as though the first word was
pronounced with an inspiration and the
latter with an expiration of the breath.
With the first word, each one makes a
backward step, and with the second, a
step forward and at the same time in a
direction around the ring. After a little
time one or two others enter the circle
and the bowling begins, at first in a low
wall, which is gradually intensified into a
perfect shrek; then it becomes more quiet;
again it rises into fiercer howl, wild and
abandoned; and dies away at length into
plaintive wall; again and again rises
that single cry, as of soul in deepest
agony, while throughout the whole is
heard the low, harsh monotone-Allah
Heu! Allah Heu! like the subdued NUT
terings of some wild beast in pain. In.
deed it is almost impossible not to con.
meet the idea of pain with the whole cere.
mony. The almost shuddering motion
with which the circle of worshippers
moved around; the wild, lonely cry OF
mental anguish, and the low moan of ami
NAL suffering, fifty expressed the
words they uttered, as the guide told
us when we asked what they said: They
pray to God; they say God have mercy
God have pity" and he cautioned us as
we went away, against repeating the
words within hearing Of any Turk, as il
would give great offense and might be at
tended with unpleasant results.
Boston GLobe