The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-03-11
THE FESTIVAL OF MOUlOUD.
Strange Sights To Be Seen on the street
of Morocco Town.

Strange Sights To Be Seen on the Streets
of Morocco Town.
Saffi is also one of the holy cities of the
Moorish empire, and in consequence il
thronged with ragged but sanity indi-
viduals, who thrive on the charity Of the
devout. During the Mohammedan holi-
day of Mor,loud, which was celebrated
OH the 10Th and Goth of December and
which embraces a fair held yearly in
honor of that saint, so dear to all Mus
selmans, "l1oulay ADD el-Kedar-G -Giilely-
el-Bagdady," the Europeans resident here
were the shuddering spectators of the
religious frenzy exhibited by the aAis-
sowa" and "Hamadsha," or "Hamd-
o,lshy," on the occasion of their public
professions, which are also conducted in
this holiday. The "Aissowa" are of the
brotherhood of "Moulay Hamed ben
Aissa." q saint of great favor among the
Moors. 1t is pretended that their man.
ifestations, which include snake-charm-
ing and Juggling, ridicule the miracles
of Jesus Christ, and this preposterous
statement is accepted by the Moors as
sufficient explanation of their vagaries.
The "Hamadsha" are the disciplinants
of one Sidi Ali ben Hanldoush, whose
zowia is situated on Mount Zehrouan,
near the city of Mequinez. 1t is their
practice on the occasion of religious fes-
tivities to throw cannon balls into the
air, which they receive on their bare
heads, and to infict gashes upon their per-
sons with small ax. The holiday of
Mouloud is accompanied by the displays
of religious enthusiasts throughout his
Sheerefan majesty the sultan of Mo-
rocco's dominions: but at no other point
do these fanatics anuse themselves with
such fer3city as at Saffi, where the
righteousness Of their behavior renders
It extremely dangerous for Christian or
Jew to cross their path during certain
hours Of the day. Even the Musslllnan
SPECTATORS stand with naked feet, fearing
the ".Aissowa" for lack of prey, should
seize and devour their shoes.
None but an eyewitness can conceive
the degrading scenes which occur during
The professions; and none, even the
enactors, can derive enjoyment there
from. "The "Aissowa" are naked to the
whist, and wear their hair so that when
necessary it covers the face. The
HHamadsha," on the contrary, are
,haven, as is the custom of Mohamme-
dams. The principal performers assemble
at their respective zowias or ohnpels IN
town, sally forth attended by the
"gernowa" (blacks), who are usually the
musicians of the party. They beat TAM
tams and play all instrument Whose tones
t is impossible to. describe on paper.
Suffice it to say, the student of this in
strument is not allowed to pursue his
practice in town, but has to play in
solitary and distant spot until proficient.
This will convey some impression of the
music impaired to listeners by this bar
barous fagolet.
As the processionists warm with ex-
citement, then commences the fun OF the
fair. Tho Aissowa seize any live animal
in sight, be it cat, dog, goat. or sheep.
lTG1LS are uSuttily pioFAu@u ioA "iN'N ~
casions by admirers. They tear them to
pieces. and vie one with another to de-
your the bleeding morsels of flesh. They
struggle: rolling over and over upon the
ground, shouting, leaping, and gest!cu-
lating. They wave the entralls and
skins of their victims in the faces OF
their comrades, who try to seize the prey
with their teeth or rut their faces in the
rceking mass. Just behind and around
are the "Hamadsha," covered with blood
and mire, singing their quaint and not
umgraceful hymn, and chopping them
selves to the cadence Of the music. Such
is the strange behavior of these fraternl-
ties on high days and holidays.
After parading the town by day, in the
evening these zealots return to their
sanctuary, where supper is provided
for their edifcation. 1t is worthy OF
note that their most exciting beverage IS
green tea, taken with large quantity Of
sugar, and favored with mint. The
suppef Is followed by pipe of "keefe"
(the leaves of the hemp plant), which
forms an agreeable scdative after the ex, .
citements of the afternoon.-Cor. Pail
NIo11 10 1otto