Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-29
DANCING DERvEHES.
i slSeuxAR SECT IN AEolsas


f--'~--
cnrdinclv thai evening, having procured q
guide. We proceeded 70 the place where The
performance was 10 be given, driving
shroprh the narrow streets connect
inr Ire French with the Moorish quar-
Ter "a the town, until they became
20 narrow and winding that II was
jmpcssibic to 20 farther. Here We left the
carriages In small square, where four fiat
stones Embedded IN the ground marked the
spot where prisoners were formerly be-
headed, and walked on through the mar
row, dimly-hghtet street, aud on arriving
az cur destination were usbered Into a
large old Moorish house with it, central
open court, galleries, and communicating
rooms. on two sides OF this court which
was lighted by fickering candles, are
benches for spectators, while before them
perhaps City Arabs In their pictu-
Icsque costumes were sittIng cross-legged,
smoking and drinking coffee. In the
cent q the court was q large square car
PET. upon which was brazier OF burning
charcoal, and behind II Yves lighted can
die about three feet In height. Behind this
candle six musicians were seated, IN tue
centre OF whom was The master OF cerem0-
mics or high priest OF the order. an intel'i-
gsnt-appcartng Arab of perhaps forty years
az age. In the gallery immediately above
us, partially concealed by screens OF rugs
and shswls, were many Moorish women.
and when the exercises became exciting
one could occasionally catch glimpse OF a
pretty face. At given signal the
music commenced. The instruments
were immense tambourines. perhaps
two and hall feet in diameter, which they
tuned 10 the right musical pitch by occa-
sionally heating them over the charcoal
FIRE. The noise produced by these instru-
mems was deafening and NOR otonolis.
They continued pounding steadily for per-
haps twenty minutes with no result. when
nh ut once a young man rushed into the
centre OF the circle With q scream aud CON-
rncneed 10 dance and gcsticulate wildly.
lie was Immediately seized by the AZ
fendants. who Invested him OF his outer
garments and ornaments. lie then, with
vacant, staring expression, began to dance
wildly before the tall candle. IL could
hardly be called dance. as his feet were
stationary.
He simply threw his head and body
backward and forward, all his muscles
being completely relaxed, his head almost
touching the lame OF the candle as IL
swung forward. His face soon became
red and he began 90 froth at the mouth.
He was soon Joined by two others. An
attendant kept them in line. not allowing
them 10 get too near The candle, and
occasionally joining their hands. Soon
n Withholding. emeciated Old m1n
erraug into the centre OF the cir
Gle with a scream. After he had been
Invested Of his outer garments he
did not dance. but commenced point
Ing, with wild screams. at different
persons in the room. He then placed his
heel in the centre Of tie burning charcoal
until the smoke and the odor OF Burning
flesh fl led the room. This performance
was rendered more effective by his con-
tinual screams aud by the unearthly noise
of the tambourines. He then Withdrew
his foot, and red.hot shovel having been
BANDED TO him, he rapidly struck 1t
with bis OPEN hand and then drew
mis- finger slowly scroSs IL, produ-
cling. probably, a slight blister. A
heavy. sharp.p0inted instrument was then
handed TO hlm, which the old man placed
against his abdomen and proceeded 10
pound against the other end with heavy
brick, which he broke into several frag-
nents. He then, with apparently great
effort, pretended TO withdraw 1t, but as its
Withdrawal was not followed by blood, and
as be immediate Y covered up the spot with
his clothing, we concluded that the instru-
ment had not penetrated the flesh At oil.
He then kissed the priest and ran into an
adjoining apartment. where he placed his
foot In water, and afterwards resumed his
seat with the others.
Meanwhile the three dancers. who had
continued bobbing wildly up and down,
had fallen TO the floor in an exhausted con-
diiion. and had been assisted out OF the
room by the attendants. The performers.
though some were wild and emaciated in
appearance, did not show scars, and,
though those whose heads were not shaved
showed irregular losses Of hair, as though
il might have been pulled out. still they all
appeared to be in fair physical condition.
At this time there was temporary lull IN
the proceedings. The tambourines cen
tinued TO beat monoton0usly, and the
babitues OF the place were evidently await
ing some new development.
An Arab who sat near me spoke 10 me in
French, saying, "Watch that old man he
is the best performer Of the party" The
man i'm question was fine-l00king old
Arab, richly dressed, wearing spectacles.
who was stroking his long gray beard and
smiling serenely. Near him was another
old man. watching the proceedings. The
chief evidently did everything in his
power TO excite him. At stated Intervals
the musicians would beat the tambou-
rines fast and furiously. At such times
the old man would sway backward and for
ward, and look wildly about, muttering to
himself He even, at one time, unbuttoned
his outer garments, evidently preparing for
his approaching ct. He would then subside
again. and finally buttoned up his coat,
and dad not perform during the evening.
Soon, however, the other old man, with.
out warning. suddenly fell forward into
the circle. He was raised by the attendants,
who, as in the previous cases, took OF his
watch and outer garments.
He then commenced 10 rerest In loud
voice various Arabic sentences. A tam
BOURNE was then passed about the au-
dience containing perhaps ten stones vary
ing In size from one fourth 10 three fourths
OF an inch IN diameter and 4 rusty nail.
One Of these stones was then passed 10 the
old man, who, holding il between his
thumb and forcflnger, placed 1t In his
mouth and swallowed it. lie then swal-
lowed all the stones, finishing with tie
rusty nail. There was no opportunity for
deception, as his arms were bare, and he
inyarlabiy opened his mouth, showing the
stone, and afterwards opening bis mouth to
show that 1t was empty. II is said that a
member OF the order has recently died from
the effect OF swallowing nails. After he
had finished his performance he re-
sumed his seat, adjusted his garments,
receiving many congratulations from
his friends. The music then became
more furious and deaiening, and the
uproar was increased by shrill screams
OF encouragement from the women above,
and shortly three new men rushed into the
circle-two light.complexioned Arabs and
a negro-dsnciEE and screaming. Three
red-hot sboyels were handed them, which
they struck as the first performer had
done, While one Of the number took
the red.hot shovel between his teeth
and held II there until there was dis
tirct odor Of burning flesh. They then
took the red Goals from the brazier, che wed,
and swallowed them, while the black
froth ran from their mouths. Two large
portions Of prickly cactus. covered with
long, sharp needles, were then handed to
then. These they seized. furiously strug-
Cling for the largest portions. which they
chewed and swallowed-m meanwhile froth.
ing and foaming at the mouth. Eight scor-
pioxs were then placed In a tambourine
and passed about for the inspection OF the
audience, ugly. crawling reptiles resem-
bling small crabs. These were then given
20 the performers, who held them In their
hands, not allowing them TO fssten up their
fingers, however. Then of given signal
they ate The struggling reptiles, the disgust
Ing crrnehinp sound haipO vary d,s.