The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-07-06
ZEE GREAT yxs11vAL OF RE D1Ussa

ZEE GREAT 1EsT1IAL OF RE D1USEa
HAIYA. May so-Towsrd svsning Of the
day ON which I arrived at the great Druss
shrine Of Nsby ehaib. near Hsttta, most Of the
shsiks who WIRE expected had arrived with
their retinues. II might have been Q feudA
gathering Of oiden time the noisy welcome OF
the Chiefs the clansmon singing war songs and
firing guns. tho women following on donkeys.
all combined TO make scene which carried one
back TO the middle ages. and mover wearied
looking at IT.
My tent Was pitched on the lowest terrace OF
the sacred building. for II Ia not allowed to the
unbelicver to pHss the night within those holy
precincts. Indeed. II was IN unprecedented
privilege TO be permitted evon to camp on the
terrace. where. indeed. there was only just
room for my tont nor should have boon al
lowed 70 edge In 10 close TO the mysteries OF
Druse worship had there boon i've square
yards Of level ground within . quarter OF .
mile. But the precipitous rocks frowned above
us oil around. and the comparatively open
space below was crowded with oamels horses.
and donkeys. compelled to chum together.
whether they liked 1t or not. and where tho In.
cessant din added to the general uproar Of the
place. Tho constant and stentorisn brayine Of
mingled with the barking Of dogs. the shrlll
scream Of welcome or uluatlon Of women, the
loud singing and oiapping Of hands Of the
dancing circles. and the firing Of guns. oil
sugured. badly for nights rest
However. there was no thought OF going to
bed yet; great piles OF rice on which whole
sheep had been skllfully dissected were now
borne In on round platters. each carried by two
men. There must have boon from three to
four hundred people now collected at the
shrine. and the feeding Of such q multitude
was no joke. OF these nearly half were wo-
men. all In gala dress. the favorite colors being
blue. green. and red. don't know that ever
remember In the same number to have seen o
larger proportion OF pretty women.
When I went up stairs to the large vault
which contains the tomb Of the Prophet. I
came upon them unexpectedly. all seated ON
the floor around the circular mats Of parti-
colored straw which they use as tablecloths.
The room. which was 10 feet long BY 40 wide.
was crowded with this laughing. chattering.
feeding feminine multitude. with their glori.
GUS eyes, white. regular teeth. bewitchlng
smiles. and delicate fingers plunged up to the
knuckles into huge piles OF greasy rice. Their
invitation that should come and take pot luck
with them produced u mixed sentiment In my
for even had / desired ! should not have S Been
allowed to accept it The entertainment was
little revsrence being shown to the venerated
shrine By the close proximity OF all this iestivity.
Taking on our shoes and picking our way
the other end OF the hall. the tomb Of the
Prophet enclosed Ia wooden screen hung
spread sort Of green ' Six pail. smbso e
with gold stars. Some Of the Druse sheiks
H hs ase ;ST me rsyerenty pressed their
block OF limestone in the centre Of which Was
piece OF alabaster containing the imprint Of
not defined. but the impression was SO distinct
have seized hold q the poeaiar imassinatieD. +
Prophet and the .Druses assured me that It
sxudsd perpetual al moisture which: however.
MssnwSils the Women e1 hay f finished their
race. The music consisted Of singing. with
principally 81 the operators. While the dancers
formed e q circle holdinx each other BY me
ro io% and s tn ms TSs s1 ssd
the character and the measure Of their
step, all their mSNvements, we're DE-
Sometimes one would separate herself
from the ring. and. advancing to the centre,
, whs G Er E,
making i doa. above her head. while she Kept
among most Orientals. the hands play as prom
inent a part in their terpsiShorean exercises as
their feet: The eminen,'y good looks e
becoming sostumss. These consisted Of outer utter
cloaks. Of q rich color. linen Or wooien. open
underdress. with light sleeves cut above the
elbow. the whole trimmed either with wide
ssS S sdss ss or Tsh rich
Of the bagging trousers OF dark blue Is lost
under the long semi-transparent chemise.
which falls over them SO Is nearly tn. cover
them as q white tunic. generally striped with
thicker white. and tastsiully embroidered with
silk around the neck. The white sleeves Of the
the forearm alter escaping. from the short
cloak sleeve form . simple but very graceful
freely or are twisted. for convenience in work
eoIoTs are wound below the waist: and The
bosom by q cord or button. giving that double
girdle often presented In ancient classical cos
esntre Of one eass drawn low upon r the to ae
head its two ends hanging down the back al
most to the heels. bound fast BY wide filst OF
brilliant color tied around the head, completes
very attractiyely. with its ancient Egyptian ap-
pearance, this simple but highly CHARACTERISTIC
bangles. according to the rank and position Of
Our attention was now distracted BY some
munity in the courtyard below. Here the sing
ing and capping OF hands were louder and
gentleman who played pipe and another who
was q sort OF band master and directed the
saanges, OF time and h step Here the central
Ing wells or handksrchi efs fourished sword
with great grace and dexterity, slashing 1t
an inch sometimes OF the noses. sometimes OF
the legs of the performers. The dancers
worked themselves up 1t last to high pitch
petually dashing into the ring and taking the
places Of those who were exhausted.
At last the gRyetieS were put an end to by
tho sheiks who took no part in them them.
selves, but looked on with solemn dignity.
Tho "ukkul." or initiated IN the holy ,mys-
reserved for women and the uninitiated. Most
OF these had been sitting in circle In quiet
part OF the terrace by themselves. discussing
sithor religion or the political questions Affect
ing the interests OF their nation. most probably
the latter: but the hour had now arrived when
and festivity ,wasso cease. The ,uproar died