Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-11-16
The Dancing Dervishes.
rs. s. Cox, in Constantinople Letter,


Near our hotel are the dancing der
wishes. [ suppose there are ample de-
scriptions of these dervishes and their
l give what I saw. The dancing sect
whlrl around gently on theirtoes. Their
arms are extended and eyes sleepy or
dreamy. They keep their places, like
stars III their orbits, as they move
around, while solemn brother, with
arms folded in prayer, moves between
the revolving orbs Their robes fly out.
as though they would make cheese, as
the children used to say. They have
sweet chant. Their closed eyes and
wbirl indicate that they see the invisible
Allah wherever they turn! These do not
howl. For that, we went to Scutari.
There is convent of them there. We
slipped behind the curtain and went up
into the gallery, looking down into a
court. There was an altar and group
of variously dressed de,visbes. Some
were soldiers, some BOYS, some little
girls In tinseled dresses, some were
black as ebony, some tall, some small,
some thin, some handsome, some hides
GUS, and all joined in the prayers and
chants. A few kneeled on sheepskin.
while others formed hollow square and
began swaying and singing, while the
tum-tum OF the tambourine and clash of
cymbals gave out the pleasing concord
OF a threshing- machine When the agony
was sufficient and the steam was on with
full head, the swaying and bowling and
barking, and swapping and jerking Of
head and body, and the frothing and
hard breathing and general diabolism
began. The song was repetit1ous, and
not unmuslcal at intervals where flute
like melody, instrumental, came in as
prelude to additional bowling. Westood
this for an hour. One man, of excellent
appearance, with long, glossy auburn
hair and rich voice, as it sounded out,
"Allah - and Mahmoud p seemed to
be the chief, and rule them with a look.
He gave glance at one, and off would
go a coat, or a turban, Or their high
white sugar loaf hat, and ON would go
white nightcap. One African of the
worst aspect L ever saw on a human
face, if, indeed, it was not visor hiding
the human face, seemed to be as 1.-the
and loathsome as a snake. He was six
feet and more, and IN his bare feet. His
tongue would loll out, and his body
would comfort till you could hardly see
what form it had. The negro MINISTRIES
when they mimic the excuses of the
negroes south at their REVEALS, are but
faint copies of the wildness of this NJ
b1an beast, as he twisted, snapped.
clucked, barked and howled. We went
out for fresh air, to return to see this
strangest of ceremonies. Their chief and
some OF his subordinates we're sitting
cross-legged and making sacre1 knots in
white napkins when we re-entered.
Then prone on their faces were arrayed
dozen children from two months old up
to twelve; and this dervish walked over
and on their bodies Yes, on them, each
and all. I would not have believed it
had 1 not seen it. Not once, but four
times, these PROSTATE lines of children
were formed, and he trod on them each
and all. Whereupon they arose sancti-
fed and cleared of disease; for that is the
theory. In came soldier and lay fat.
He had therheumatism. Along with him
line was formed, some of the same little
ones going fiat again. Over the lot the
chief travelled. The soldier got up and
kissed the devish's hand. He took care
to place his foot on the upper part of the
thigh behind. Any surgeon may tell
you whether this is vulnerable spot.
Not child whimpered, not a soul smiled.
1 could neither enjoy nor cease to
wonder.
"What is the solution of this seeming
physical paradox" That question ask
ed of gentleman learned in the costoms
here. He said. did you observe two
priests In loose robes on each side of the
line holding the chiefs arms 9"
eyes, but did not see that they could
have carried him safely over, allowing
only slight touch to the children with
the priestly foot"
"That." said he, " is my solution and
the only one [ have. Two strong men
might do it after much practice -