Connecticut western news., 1888-04-11
ROWLING DERVISHES
Some Strange Religious Rites
 in Turkey.

Tn turkey.
 A Three-Year-Old Child a Fren-
 ] zied Participant.
 A Constantinopic correspondent of the San Francisco Chronicle sends that paper an account of some of the religious rites of the Refaec, or the Rowling nervi,hes. These, hc says, arc but one of tho numerous orders of Dervishes who wield m irrcs csistible influence over the public miad in Turkey. Their no table Take is low, weather beaten old luilling, standing on the ed ye of the great cyprcss-shadcd Turkish cemetery that crowns the hci 5hts of Scntoric and is almost as dilapidatcd as most of tho monuments aud gravestoacs that sur round it. The sracc allotted to the "howlers" was wtll- filed, yet good many both of young and old, were still coming, and after going forward to where tho high priest. sat, they rcvcrently bowed to tho dust, then taking the priests hand, gently kissed it and retired. Directly behind the priest was small a!cove, painted Q bright green and filled with variety of antique small arms, swords, daggcrs, battle axes, etc. On tho walls were many notices or sentences in frames, and some prayer rugs. A small brazcn censcr containing burning frankincenso and spices, filled the room with aromatic fragrance. .., -
 Around three sides of the low room were galleries, some closely latticed and occupied by Turkish women, others open and filled with curious spectators like ourselves. Tho best location was reserved for Turkish gentlemen and sol- dicrs. Beneath these galleries was still another, elevated a step or two above the main floor and separated from it by low railing and furnished with seats for spectators. On the main floor were spread many rugs of Angora goatskin, on which were seated old men, regular patriarchs in appearance, while two groups of little children were ranged behind them. Seated close to the low railing were rows of men clothed in the flowing Dervish mantle and tan-colored ''galuph," tall, brimless felt hat, strongly resembling an inverted flower pot, bound round the head by a long black scarf with ends left flowing. These ends were at intervals during the sers;ce tenderly- pressed to the lips. At other times the eyes were carefully wiped with these mourning badges.
 Conspicuous before tho high priest stood 1.-the figure with pale, cadavcr. ous countenance, but keen, pcnetrat- ing eye, who was slowly manipulating a long, white scarf. He first threw it around his shoulders, thus symbolizing tho all- embracing love of Allah; then binding it tightly about his waist, he began tying and untying it, each knot having particular significance. His whispered words will bear this inter- prctation: q tie up greed; I untio charity. tie up hate; untie love. I tic up pride; unite humility" And so on through a long list. Then began a monotonous chant that soon swelled to tremendous howl. All rose to their feet and kept time with swaying body and jerking head in frantic manner. Tho old and feeble among them gradually dropped out of tho circle and took seats on rugs near tho centre of the room, besides tho rows of standing children. At length the eyes of the spectators became rivited upon the face and figure of 3-year-old baby, who stood for two long hours swayina its frail body in perfect unison with the dcrvishcs and with his rosy cherub. mouth uttering the same indescribably impressive cry of Allah! When the rude throng had at length worked them selves up to state of religious frenzy the little boy also rolled his bright eyes about as if beholding heavenly vision.
 To my mind nothing was so impress sive as the power of endurance shown by the infants on exhibition. I shud- der whom I think of the torture they ! must have been subjected to iu the pri- vate drill necessary to prepare them fol such per 'ormance in public. Some oi the children seemed free to pass in and out at will, but the tiny boy spoken O. above and little girl Ca hunchback) never left their posts minute, no1 ceased to sway their bodies and shout until the performance was conclu led, by a louder clapping and bowling, moro violent jerking of the head and wider tumult than before. Then sudder hush. when, without a signal or lool from any one, this lovely little baby dc. murc!y marched up to tho high priest t' receive his blessing, then lail hin } down, his face to the ground hefor' tho venerable man. Another, wh' . appeared to bo high chief o the order, now took the sta'wart pries by tho hand while he placed both fee on the body of this frail infant ant stood with his face turned upward while he muttered what appeared to b prayer. Then other children followed