The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-15
THE LAND OF THE PHARAoHs.
Nerooz Day and It's Festiyities-Afte- the
Nile has Withdrawn.

-
Nile Has Withdrawn.
That not only the Egyptian seasons
should be regulated by the rise of the
Nile, but that the modern Arab should
even go so far as to date the coming in
of the New Year from the day when it is
supposed to reach its highest point, is
significant of the preponderating influ-
ence that the Nile still exercises on Egyp-
tian life. The Mohammedan mode of
reckoning time, with Its lunar months,
never quite supplanted the old Ccptic
calendar. The Copts, probably follow
ing the custom of the Pharaohic Egyp-
tians, always began their year in the
part Of the cal sndar corresponding with
our September, and the Moslems in
Egypt have had to conform to this usage
their agricultural year beginning on
tho 10th or 18th Of the Coptic month
Toot.
The Coptic New Years day, or "Ne.
rooz" day, is then an occasion for un-
usual merrymaking. Those who have
no almanac are not allowed to remain
long in ignorance of the day and its pc
ouliar features. The Muniadee or crier
of the Nile comes round, perambulating
every street in Cairo, and letting every
one know that the mile Is full" His
duties are now nearly over. He has been
OF his monotonous chant ever since the
Sd Of July-the 97th Of the Coptic month
Be-ooueh-when he began to proclaim
how much the river rose every day. The
measure of the old Nilometer in the
island of Rhoda, In Old Cairo, is sup
posed to guide his statement. But no
deed, the Cairene little troubles himself
about it unless On abnormal delay on the
part of the river has aroused a general
apprehension. His perambulations OF
the capital have become little more than
an opportunity for sing-song repetition
Of religious commonplaces, and an I'M
FORTUNATE appeal to the heart of the
householder.
Nerooz day in upper Egypt is a great
occasion for festivities. 1t is period OF
enforced idleness to the husbandman.
He has done all he can for his fields, and
now he leaves the river to play his part,
his labor not recommending till the Nile
has withdrawn again and the soil begins
to dry. While his hoe and his plow are
laid up he brings out his fiddle and his
tamborine. The fantasia" holds undis-
puted sway; and the brown-shirted
farmer in masquerade attire indulges in
antics resembling somewhat the eccen-
tricities Of the Latin carnival. On the
same day or at any rate, at the same sea-
son. the ancient Egyptians engaged in
similar sports and pastimes; and the god
Thot and Hermes. whose fete fell on the
10Th Of the Coptio month loot, was hon
ored with festival very like NercoS
day. -.
After the Nile has withdrawn, and the
fields have begun to dry, the Stritawee,
or winter season, begins in earnest. This
is the most important period of the year
for agricultural operations, especially in
upper Egypt, wheat, barley, lentils
beans, peas, clover, etc.; being raised on
the rioh .alluyial soil that the overflow
has made. The lands SO inundated are
called the "rei" lands; those that are too
high for the inundation to reach are
called the "sharakee" lands. The latter,
never receiving any rain, in upper Egypt
at any rate, owe their crops entirely to
artificial irrigation. But these lands are
commonly made to bear three and some
times four crops in succession, whereas
the sreir only produce one crop, which
is sown in October or early November,
and reaped the following March, April,
or May.
Wheat is put in as soon as the water
has turned into mud. While the soil is
still mire the primitive plyugh is passed
once over it and the seed sown broadcast.
Barley is sown in November and har-
vested i'll May, when it is pulled up by
the roots like maize, and not subjected
to the sickle like wheat. Beans are sown
in October and gathered in March.
Glover sown Immediately after inunda-
ton ripens in two months, and In some
lands as many as four crops Of this
prime necessity for cattle of all sorts are
grown within the twelve months. The
plough (mihrat) of Joseph's time serves
to scratch the shiny, stoneless soil. It
consists of pole, handle and share,
all of wood, the latter only being tipped
with iron. Narrowing is accomplished
by palm branch dragged by cattle over
the surface.-London Globe.
The Wise Mans Estimation Of Time.