The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-09-28
The Pilgrims at Cairo.

Every Mohammedan Is bound under
certain conditions 10 mRkea pilgrimage
TO Mecca OF least once before he dies,
and none but minors, slaves or lunatics
are exempted from the obligation. Ac-
cording TO some doctors OF theology,
however, only such OF the faithful as
have health, md money for their ex.
penses on the road and for the support
OF their families while they Rre absent,
are bound to 60 others hold every Mo-
hammedAn under obligation II he is
able 10 walk and 10 earn his bread on
the way; others, again, think it suffl-
cient In certain cases to send substi-
tute, whose expenses must be paid by
the person sending. However this may
be, the pilgrimage takes place every
year with unfailing regularity, the cara.
vans forming near Cairo, and thence
proceeding to the Holy City," On
the return from Mecca the birthday OF
Mohammed is celebrated at Cairo with
peculiar ceremonies. The dervishes
aud pilgrims congregate in immense
numbers, the gathering not being un.
like that Of a fair ground, save for one
thing-that there are no intoxicating
liquors sold. There is plenty OF in
toxicatiou, however, but religious in.
toxieation, the people being all but
raving mad with lanaticism. Here der.
wishes Of oil orders dance, howl, and
cut themselves until they fall down
ioaming OF the mouth in a Gt OF reli.
gious frenzy, being with difficulty kept
from starting airesh and rnnnipg o
muck amidst the spectators. On the
last day takes place the doseh, ~
took up my position early" writes the
artist, $50 as to obtain good view Of
the ceremony. First passed in separate
detachments the fanatics OF the various
orders, headed by banners, oil scream
ing, bowling, and dancing wildly, many
being without their turbans, their
heads being exposed 10 the burning
sun. After all had passed, the devotees
laid themselves down side by side, rs
close as possible to each other, and
face downward, volunteers from the
crowd OF spectators rushing forward to
range them symmetrically, so that their
feet might fall In one straight line.
Others kindly waved their loose gar
ments over the PROSTATE bodies to give
them little air. Soon more defyishes
aud more banners appeared, and walked
over the human pathway, and then
came the Sheik Of the Saadieh on his
milk.white horse. Tho animal was led
over tho backs Of the poor wretches,
but appeared TO use tho greatest care
in placing his feet, as though trying to
tread rs lightly rs possible. The Sheik
wore the green tur6an, showing that he
had performed the pilgrimage TO Mecca,
and rode with his eyes closed as though
in a trance. The number OF men thus
ridden over amounted 10 nearly three
hundred, and no sooner Ind the horse
passed than their friends rushed for
ward 10 assist them to rise, many OF
the devotees being severely injured,
while others were senseless, not from
any actual bodily injury, but merely
from religious excitement" The bosch
dates from the close OF the last century,
in the days OF one sheik Younis, who
is said to have possessed the power OF
riding over glass without breaking II.
Afterward II became the custom to ride
over fanatic dervishes, who believed
that the horse would not hurt them
those injured. being not sufficiently
for tho occasion by prayer
and faith.