Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-03-07

sisted OF n fez, with n white and gold
turban wound tightly round the lower
part OF IL; underneath this fez they
wear white caps. Their cleanliness vas
very remarkable, and presented a
striking contrast TO the houses in which
y We. On their bodies they wore
common white shirts. and loose linen
trousers. n waistcoat of embroidered
cloth fastened on one shoulder, and a
loose robe down TO the ankles, with
loose hanging sleeves. Over all the
burnous is worn like Che Roman toga,
hanging down over the left shoulder,
and drawn up ulder The rirht into fold
over ths breast. About twenty of these
IN the inner CT lie nearest the brazier
had musical instruments. The drums,
which were the principal instruments,
were apparently made Of green earth
ernware bottles, turned upside down.
the bottom hammered out, and replaced
by thick parchment tied down with
string. They were accompanied by
pipes, tambourines. and the clashing of
piece of hard wood and fragments of
pottery. After we had been there a
short time the music began, under the
direction of a leader. At first the
measure was slow, but quickened in
magnificent crrsccnlos and diminuen-
dos, with cries of allah. Allah" This
lasted nearly three-quarters of IN hour.
The music was barbaric. but the relig-
ious fervOr Of the performers gave it
certain artistic merit that was very
impressive. BY degrees the dcvotees
rose from tho carpet, and stood along
the wall OF the room opposite to us.
They then began TO sway from side TO
side, keeping time to the music; then.
as the music became louder. they
swayed more and more, sideway and
forward; at last bending down on one
knee and rapidly rising again.
AT last one of them began to roll his
head round AMI round on his breast.
Upon this the lesser priests brought
him forward onto the mating. and re-
moved the turban, fez, and white cap,
leaving his head bare. The head was
shaved, with the exception Of n long,
thick bunch of hair In the center, which
sometimes hung down TO the waist.
With this the Prophet will # them into
Paradise. The music played louder and
louder. and they all began 10 groan-
or rather, | should say, TO howl-until
AtlN hi'A't WIS ~ lupol luNUppDIldNle
Then one after the other became seized
with the dcl'rium, rolling their heads
and eyes in n manner that almost fright
encd me. Then the assistant priests re-
moved the garments from their shout
dcrs. and the braZicr was handed from
one to another. over which they held
their heads tO inhalc its fumes. Each
man then knelt be orc the high priest,
VINO p ayed into each ear i'm succession.
A number Of swords were then brought
10 ward. They cons sted OF broad
blades o. steel; insteal o handles these
swords were fitted into round blocks of
wood, about six inches in diameter and
two inches thick. The devotces seized
them with both hands at the handle and
point, and tegan to raise them over
their heads, and bring them down with
all the force against their waists
Several OF them knclt down and placed
the points OF the swords against the
muscles ~ thcif shoulders neasihe neck.
The priests then drove the points into
the flesh with small wooden mallets, so
a' 20 project through the skin on the
othc' sidc.-CJr. LO'piOH Daiiy NclCS.