Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-19
THE ROWLING DERVISHES.
EXCITING CEREMONIES WITNESSED
BY A CORRESPONDENT.
Religionists Who Exercise a Powerful In.
huence in Turkey-A Frenzied Child Of
3 Years-A Human Corduroy Road
Trying to Nerves.

We set out after an early lunch to witness
some of the religious rites of the Refaee, OIL
the bowling dervishes These are but one
of the numerous orders of dervishes who
WELD an irresistible influence over the public
mind in Turkey. Their notable Take is a
low, weather beaten old building, standing
on the edge of the great cypress shaded Turk
| ish cemetery that crowns the heights of Sen
torie, and is almost as dilapdated as most Of
the monuments and yavestones that sur
| round 1T When we entered we found the
best seats for observation nearly all appro-
| priated by large party of American tourists
with guide books in hand, fully determined
| to take it all in"
The space allotted to the s'howlersn was
also well filled, yet good many, both OF
young and old, were still coming, and after
going forward to where the high priest sat,
they reverentially bowed to the dust, then
taking the priests hand, gently kissed it and
retired. Directly behind the priest was a
small alcove, painted bright green, and
filled with variety of antique small arms,
swords daggers, battle axes, etc On the
walls were many notices or sentences in
frames, and some prayer rugs. A small
brazen censor containing burning franklin
cense and spices, filled the room with aro-
matte fragrance.
ROWS OF SPECTATORS.
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. The
best location was reserved for Turkish gen
tlemen and soldiers. 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 wero
spread many rugs of Angora goatskin, on
which were seated old men, regular patri-
archs 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 ''gaiuph," a tall, brimless
felt hat, strongly resembling an inverted
flower pot, bound round the head by long
black scarf, with ends left flowing These
ends were at intervals in the course of the
service tenderly pressed to the lips. AT
other times the eyes were carefully wiped
with these mourning badges
Conspicuous before the high priest stood
1.-the figure, with pale, cadaverous counte-
nance, but keen, penetrating eye, who was
slowly manipulating long, white scarf He
first threw it around his shoulders thus
symbollzing the all embracing love of Allah;
then, binding it tightly about his waist, he
began tying and untying it, each knot hav-
ing particular significance. His whispered
words Will bear this Interpretation: 81 tie
up greed; unite charity. | tie up hate:
unite love. tie up pride; unite humility"
And so on through long list Then began
monotonous chant that soon swelled to a
tremendous howl All rose to their feet and
kept time with swaying body and jerking
head in a frantic manner
The old and feeble among them gradually
dropped out OF the circle and took seats on
the rugs near the center Of the room. beside
the rows OF standing children. At length
The eyes OF the spectators became riveted
upon the face and figure of little 3-year-old
baby, who stood for two long hours swayins
Its frail body in perfect unison with the der
wishes, and with his rosy, cherub mouth ut |
tering the same indescribably impressive
cry of Allah! When the rude shronc had |
ct length worked themselves up to a state of |
religious frenzy the little boy also rolled his |
bright eyes about as if beholding heavenly |
vision
ENDURANCE OF INFANTS
can compare this worship to nothing |
have ever witnessed, except it be the intense |
excitement exhibited at meetings among the /
''colored brethren" on a southern plantation |
In the old slave times in our own country.
One who has seen those impressionable peo-
pie jumping, shouting and falling down with |
the power can imagine something Of the |
narrowing spectacle before US today
10 my mind NOTHING usS so
the power of endurance shown by the infants
on exhibition. | shudder when l think of the
torture they must have been subjected to in
the private drill necessary to prepare them
for such performance in public Some of
the children seemed free to pass in and out
at will, but the tiny boy spoken Of above and
little girl 70 hunchback) never left their
posts minute nor ceased to sway their
bodies and shout until the performance
was concluded by louder clappins
and bowling, more violent Jerking Of
the head and wilder tunlult than
before Then a sudden hush. when. without
a signal or look from any one, this lovely
little baby demurely marched up to the high
priest 70 receive his blessing. then laid him
down, his face TO the ground before the
man. Another, who appeared to
stalwart priest by the hand while be placed
both feet on the body Of this frail infant and
stood with his face turned upward, while he
muttered what appeared to be a prayer.
Then other children followed. First came
the little kunchback, then three or four at a
time. finally ten or twelve laid down. form
ing human corduroy road" for the high
priest TO walk over, until at least twenty
children had thus received his blessing and
had the evil spirit driven out Of them This
ceremony is supposed to be panaeea, and
there are always invalids brought to
the lake during services to be cured Il real
or mag mary Ills One aged man laid down
10 be walked upon today, and one little boy,
who was brought in by his devout and de
voted father, refused utterly 70 be conforred
in this manner. and was carried out most
victorious
II you are q novice you Leave this s>ere