The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-18
parSian IlerYiSheS.

The ordinary meaning OF the word
''dervish' is religious mendicant. In
Persia, dervishes are certainly mendi
cants; but their religion does not go
much beyond pious ejacu)ations and the
cursing of the iniidel. Their hair and
boards are always worn long, unkempt,
and flowing in the wind. A striking ap-
pearance is affected and obtained by
startling costumes or by the strange
weapons which only deryish carries.
Every large town has shop in which
are exhibited the paraphcrnalia of the
dervish-tall hats Of cloth or felt, in
shape and size resembling sugar loaf
(on these hats are embroidered pious.
calculations or texts from the Koran);
the calabash (generally an elaborately
carved vessel made from single Indian
nut that will hold several pints) which
hangs from the dcrvish's girdle by brass
chains-it is his wallet, drinking vessel,
and aims box all combined. At these
strange shops too may be seen carved
beads in strinos, each bead an inch Or
more in diameter; these necklets serve to
add to the weird appearance of the der
wish. 1t is in his arms that the
real dcrvish's fancy takes most scope.
Will pOl tClltouo CiohS
clubs bristling with spikes or knife
blades, steel axes, single headed or
double headed, at times beautifully
damascened with silver or gold; maces
Of steel or iron-with one or other of
these curious weapons the dervlsh IS
sure to be provided. The harvest of the
dcrvish is at the new year. At this fes-
tival, observed with rejoicing by all
Persians, the dervish has good tune; :;
every passer by gives him a trifle for
luck.
At every rich or great mans door u
dervish now cncamps-litcrally encamps.
He pitches a tiny tent, composed of
yard of canvas. which he pegs against
the wal! oil he victims doorway; he
makes in front Of the tent sort of glo
rified mud pie, and calls it his garden;
he dccorates the pie with oranges or
sprigs of shrubs, and he shouts ''Hakk-
Hakk- Ha a d akk!' day and night, per-
haps for month, till at last he is dis
missed with present. AS there is q
certain glory-is it not visible sign Of
wealth and dignity?-in having a derv
ish at ones gate at New Years time, the
dervish generally remains at least
week. When he becomes impa-
tient, real tortures commence. In ad-
dition to this unending 'IHakk" the
dervish blows upon a buffalo horn. The
horn is blown suddenly, viciously, at
dead Of night, and at irregular intervals,
by an irritated dcrvish with sound lungs.
The expected gratuity does not long re-
main ungiven when he takes these noe
turnal solos. The dervish is permitted
by custom to enter any assemblage, to
seat himself at every board-a humble,
uninvited, but still welcome guest. He
is often fortune teller, at times mes
merist or conjurer. He docs, not, as a
rule, mutilate himself or undergo penance
OF any kind, save at the month of mourn
ing, the Mohurrim. when, in honor of
the saints and martyrs Hassan and Hous-
sein, he will chop his forehead with a
sword till streams of blood flow over the
white shroud in which he dresses him
self on this occasion. And in the same
solemn month strings of dervishes may
be seen who scourge their own bare
backs with heavy iron chains until they
bleed, while with their left hands they
beat their naked and bruised chests,
shouting at each stroke, 'Hassan, Hous-
| scin ~ in dismal chorus.