The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-08-31
THE TANTAH MASSACRE
TIE SCENE OF THE Latest MAssA
CRE IN EGYPT.

Tsntab, the scene of the latest
Egyptian mSssacree, scarcely lees
fiendish in their cruelty than those
OF Alexandria, is the capital of the
Gorbseych provinces in the Delta.
The city is fifty-iour miles north OF
Cairo, on the Cairo and Alexandra
railroad, and Is the third city in
Egypt. Its population is variousls
estimated at from 10000 to 100, 900
souls. In the military operations
doubtless soon to follow, Tsntah will
become an important strategetical
point and ralIying centre for ths
adheTeuts OF Arahi, for this unique
city is the capital of religious fansti-
cism in Lower Egypt. It's situation,
in about the middle of the Delta,
renders it easily accessible 10 those
who go there on the triennial relig-
ions privileges 10 celebrate the birth
placs of grea: MosIem saint-ths
Ssyyid Ahmad FL BeJsWee. The
greatest of these festivals, which ia
near the end of the Christian year,
attracts more pilgrims than any other
N Egypt, and in this respect is
second only to the pilgrimage to
Mecca. They are characterized by
debsuchery, crime and riot, and ex-
coed in this respect the revelries OF
Bubastis and Oanopus. Few Chris
tisns ever attend the mammoth gath
ering known among the Franks As
the 'Tsntsh Fair" because OF the
danger attending intercourse with
fanatics fnAddened with the potent
Araki. a beverage brewed from rice.
The Herald correspondent visited one
of these religious mobs. which, in
fine, is nothing more than q Moham.
medsn camp-meeting, and being in
Christian garb, without even the fez,
he Was everywhere regarded with
scoWls and hatred. gestures OF def
snce and words OF menace. Il Wss
singular spectacle to be in the
midst Of one OF these huge assemblies,
numbering IS high az 800, 900 souls,
coming from every part OF Syria and
Arabia, even India and Northern
Africa. and particularly at night by
their camp fres, beating on the TONI
toD, singing rude negro Egyptian
chants, telling fortunes, with the
bowling deTyishes sending forth the
most hideous and esr-rending bowls
while Whirling in their maddening
testimony Of fealty to the Moslem
God. It can be Unsigned that when
sometimes 100000 strangers have
thus gathered on the plain OF Tantah
water by no means plenty and with
the modern Egyptian by no means
disposed to use lt, that cleanliness
would not be prevailing virtue. In
fact. 1t is doubtful II any camp city
was ever the theater OF 80 much gen
eral and personal tith, With all its
consequences, as the Chief pilgrim.
age IN honor OF the patron saint of
Tapssb.
As a, copse Guepce epidemic and
contagious diseases spread ali over
the Delta provinces, and carried by
rail tG CAIRO, Alexandra aud Suez,
a large mortality ensues, for the
modern Egyp'i4p and the Bedouin
are the most helpl 6. of mortas when
sick. Members OF their medical pro-
fession wolid acarcelY be allowed to
treat sWine - America; and the ma
lives have 8 great reluctance on
account OF religious scTuples TO being
treated by Christian. The CORES.
poDdent, however, on the occasion of
one OF their great feasls was careful
to have With him bis medicine chest
NOT an insignificant affair either,
for it was prepared By DR.. Grant, the
English physicisn to the Khedive,
with elaborate instructions.
This was companion in travel as
much for self Protection as It was to
obtain useful popularity among the
natives for medical science-a very
easily acquired reputation in Egypt.
1t was discovered IN endeaTnring to
treat many Oithe ordinary sfhictions
engendeFed by such close and filthy
communion, that they we're temper.