The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-11-23
The Dancing Dervlshes.

Near our hotel are the dancing Dcrvishes.
suppose there are ample descriptions of
these Dcrvishos and their mummeries, but
have not read them. give what saw. The
dancing sect whirl around softly on their
toes. Their farms are extended and eyes
sleepy or dreamy. They keep their
places like stars in their orbits, as they
move around, while solemn brother, with
arms folded and in prayer, moves between
the revolving orbs. Their robes fly on
as though they would make cheese, Us the
children used to say. They have sweet
chant, Their closed eyes and whirl 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 a
group of variously.dresSed dervishes
Some were soldiers, some boys, some
little girls in tinselIed dresses, some
were black as ebony, some tall, some small,
some thin, some handsome, some hideous,
and all joined in the prayers and chants.
A few kneeled on sheepskin, while others
formed a hollowsquare and began swaying
and singing, while the tum-tum of the tam.
BOURNE and clash of cymbals gave out the
pleasing concord of threshing machine,
When the agony was sufficient and the
steam was ON with full head, the sway.
ing and bowling and barking, and swapping
and jerking Of head and body, and the
trothing and hard breathing and general
diabolism began, The song was repetitions,
and not unmusical at intervals where a
tlute-like melody, instrumental, came in ns
aprclude to additional bowling. We stood
this for an hour. One man, of excellent an.
pearance, with long, glossy auburn hair and
arich voice, us II sounded out "Allah?.n
and "Mahmoud,n seemed TO be the chief
and rolled them with look. He gave a
glance at one, and of would 20 q coat or n
turban, or their high white sugar.loni hat
and on would SO n white nightcap.
One African OF the worst aspect ever saw
on a human face, IL, indeed, II was not n
yiLor hiding the human face, seemed to be
as 1.-THE and lonesome as q snake. He was
six feet and more, and In his bare feet. Ilis
tongue would loll out, and his body would
comfort, till you could hardly see what form
it had. The negro minstrels, when they
mimic the excuses of the negroes South
at their revivals, are but faint copies
of the wildnesS OF this Nubian beast, as
he twisted, snapped, cluoked, banked. and
howled. We went out for fresh air, to re.
turn to see the strangest of ceremonies.
Their chlefand some Of his subordinates
were sitting cross.legged and making sacred
knots In white napkins when We rc.ontercd.
Then prone ON their faces were arrrayet u
dozen children from two months iip to
twelve, and this dcrvish walked
over and on their bodies. Yes, on them,
each and ALL would not have be.
lieved II had 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 sanctilcd and
cleared of disease; for that Is the theory.
In came soldier aud lay Hat He had the
rheumatism. Along with him line
was formed some Of the same little
ones going fiat again. Over the lol
the chief travelled. The soldier got up and
kissed tho deryish's hand lie took care 10
place his foot on the upper part of the
thigh behind. Any surgeon may tell Won
whether. this Is q vulnerable spot. Not n
child whimporcd, not soul smiled, 1
could neither enjoy nor cease to wonder.
What Is the solution Of this secminp
physical paradox That question I.asked
81 gentlemen learned In the custom here
He said; ibid you observe two priests int