Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-03-06

roof, which was high and very irregular
in form. leading upward till its shape
was lost in the gloom. A piece Of yell
low mating was IN the center, on the
edge of which was small camp-stool
for the chief priest For our accommo-
dalton two wooden divans. in size and
shape like camp bedsteads, were rangel
along the wall opposite the door. In
the center of the mating was a large
iron brazier with tripod feet, filled with
glowing embers-I think of charcoal.
Around this braz er, with their faces n
ward. a number of persons were sitting,
or rather squatting. in Oriental fashion,
their shoes placed in rows outside the
edge of the mating. Their dress con-
sisted of fez, with a white and gold
turban wound tightly round the lower
part of il; underneath this fez they
wear white caps. Their cleanliness was
very remarkable, and presented a
striking contrast to the houses in which
they I've. On their bodies they wore
common white shirts, and loose linen
trousers, waistcoat of embroidered
cloth fastened on one shoulder, and q
loose robe down to the ankles, with
loose hanging sleeves. Over all the
burnous is worn like the Roman toga,
hanging down over the left shoulder,
and drawn up under the right into fold
over the breast. About twenty of these
in the inner circle 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
pieces Of hard wood and fragments of
pottery. After we had been there a
short time the music began, under the
direction of leader. At first the
measure was slow, but quickened in
magnificent crescendos and diminuen-
dos, with cries of "Allah, Allah" This
lasted nearly three-quarters of an hour.
The music was barbaric. but the relig-
ious fervor of the performers gave it a
certain artistic merit that was very
By degrees the devotees
rose from the 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; theS
as the music became louder, they
swayed more and more, sideway ard
forward; at last bending down on one
knee and rapidly rising again.
At last one of them began to roll his
head round and 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 long,
thick bunch of hair in the center, which
hung down to the waist.
With this the Prophet will lift them into
Paradise. The music played louder and
louder. and they all began to groan-
Or rather, should say, to howl-until
the noise was almost insupportable.
Then one after the other became seized
with the delirium, rolling their heads
and eyes in a manner that almost fright |
ened me. Then the assistant priests re-
moved the garments from their shout
ters, and the brazier was handed from
one to another, over which they held
heir heads to inhale its fumes. Each
man then knelt be ore the high priest,
VINO p aged into each ear in succession.
A number of swords were then brought.
% ward. They cons sted OF broad
blades OF steel: instead o. handles these
swords were fitted into round blocks of
wood, about six inches in diameter and
5wo inches thick. The devotees seized
hem with both hands at the handle and t
point, and began to raise them er
heir heads. and bring them down with
I'll the r. force against their waists.
several of them knelt down and placed
he points of the swords against the
muscles of their shoulders near the neck.
The priests then drove the points into
he flesh with small wooden mallets, so
IS to project through the skin on the
'thef side.-Cor. London Daily Ne,0s.