The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-26
HOUSEKEEPING THE DEVIL.
rncanny Rites In a Cavern In MeSO-
pOtamia.
The Angel Peacock" of the Yezidis.
Initiating Neophyte-TheD Dead and
the Living Side By Side.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
one Of the strangest and most mysteri-
ops of the many religious sects of the
world is that of the Yezidis, or Devil
Worshippers. of Mesopotamia; called also
Kara Bash, or Black Heads, by their
neigh ors, who hate them. The chief
shrine Of their faith is in the valley of
Sheikh Adj, northeast of Mosul This is
an idyllic retreat, shut in from the outer
world by the mountains that completely
surround it. The hillsides and declivities
are well wooded, there is an amplitude of
shade and shelter, and dozen rivulets
leap from rocky assures and clefts, bub-
bling and sparkling in the sunshine until
they find their way to the lower grounds.
But the valley has an uncanny reputa-
ton. Christian, Moslem and jew all shun
it. for it is the Mazar, or pilgrim resort,
OF these detested Devil Worshippers.
Few outsiders have ever entered this
mysterious place, and fewer still have
witnessed the rites performed there
Among the few however, was this year a
correspondent of the London Standard,
who gives q graphic account of the unique
ceremonies witnessed there COnspicu-
GUS in the middle of the glen, is a fair
sized white edifice with a double spire,
and spacious outbmldings,s the tomb of
Sheikh Adj. the founder of the strange
sect whose object of reverence is Satan.
Higher up the valley is a much smaller
bulding-a simple oblong erection, low
pitched. and of the plaineSt possible con-
struction. 1t is windowless, has single
spire, and is dazzlingly white. The front
faces the rising sun, and the slender point
rising from the roof catches the last lin
gering rays of the westering orb. At the
back Of the edifice is a series of sheltered
alcove-like pens, in which are stabbed
seven white kline, carefully tended by
whte-rObed "tshavish.n These animals
are sacred, dedicated to Sheikh Shems-
that is to the Sun and the building to
which they are attached is the ''Sanctu-
airy of the White Cow the temple of the
Devil-Worshippers. Here, annually in
mid-August, a solemn initiation is cele-
5rated, at which the "Kak," or fakir-
saint Of the Devils Order, from Aleppo,
is present. ....-.. .,.-.....
TIE CONGREGATION. OF DEyIL-WoRsHIPERs
The valley is full of Yezidi pilgrims,
who have spread their tents under
branching oak trees on the hillsides or
constructed rude tabernacles of beams
and greenery on the fiat roofs of stray
buildings there. The ceremony takes place
at night, and as the shadows begin to
leagthen. and the sun settles on the hill
ureSts in the west, the Devil WOrshlppers
gather by hundreds in front of the sane
tuary of the White Kline. The men are
dressed in spotless white robes, and wear
white turbans, above which rise the tops
Of the black caps, from which they de-
rive their popular designation Kara
Bash, - or BlackHeadS. Here and there
are seen the flaming orange robe and
headgear of ''pir,' or priest and more
CONSPICUOUS still. by reason of its contrast
TO the rest, the sombre black mash
lah,' and head-covering of the fakirs of
the fraternity. All, however. wear the
peculiar vests of white cotton, and the
twisted black cord around the neck
which marks the true Yezidi, the Devil
WOrShipper born and bred. The sec
taries use no form of prayer and have no
written liturgy; indeed, they cannot, any
of them, read or write, these accomplish
ments being prohibited To AL. whether
layman or cleric, with the solitary ex-
ception of a single family, to which is en-
trusted, as an hereditary charge, the
reading of the Yezidi Bble-the 'tJalaco"
which. with the "Mashah Rash. ." CON
stitutes their BLACK Book" When the
sun begins to dip below the hilltops, the
worshippers rise and hold out their hands
so as 10 catch its last rays. They cover
their faces with both hands and kiss
them, and finally, as the luminary sinks.
they, with one accord, fall upon their
knees, bend their heads to the ground,
touch the earth with their finger tips,
and gently tap their fOreheads above the
eyebrows. .r
PROCESSION OF THE ANGEL PEACOCK.
As soon as it is dark, a white-robed
"tshavish,n who has charge of the sanct-
uary, energies from the pen in the rear of
the building, carrying in his hands half a
dozen small lamps. ready lighted, which
he fixes in tiny inches prepared for them
in front. This is the signal for the COM
mencement of the celebration, and, in an
instant almost, answering lights fash
from every corner of the valley They
CLEAN starlike, suspended from trees,
dangling upon poles. or placed in nooxs
and crannies of the rocky hillsides The
nreS Of those encamped in the glen are
piled afresh, and stirred until the flames
leap high. in the air, and the ruddy glare
Is reflected the length and breadth of the
valley Scarcely are the lamps placed in
the inches about the temple when the
sound Of music is heard in the distance,
and The lights of a procession are seen APP
preaching from the tomb of Sheikh Adj
~
aus, or Angel Peacock, the sacred
symbol of the Devil-Worshippers. The
lezldiS part right and left as the
bearers of the Holy Sanjak come nearer,
10 allow them to pass on to the sanctuary.
ID 'front.' march score of ''Roshaks,' or
seryltOrs of the Temple, in dark gar
men,s, carrying torches. Behind them
follow five 'kawals," or musicians, in the
orthodox white mantles and black head
gear, playing Justify upon reeded flutes
ana tambouriues; then a ''pir," or priest
III tanning yellow. rearing aloft the COW
efed emblem of the Satan cultus. and in
rear dozen sWarthy. blacl1-robed fazirS
Inc party make straight for the small
temple in front, go round. and pass in by
low door in rear, where the sacred
Whlte kline are stabbed, in charge of their
'Shavlsh.' Entering the doorway, we
proceed not forward but downward, by
steps cut in the earth, and leading under
GROUND. The music ceases, but we march
On The "koshkas' with their faring
toFehes lighting the way, for the descent
ID III perfect darkness. We 60 further
"u' through gloomy passage with a
n!lglJ slope, and after a sharp turn to the
tlElt. reach the Holy of Hollles of the
eAdls, the underground Temple of the
worshippers.
THE UNDERGROUND SHRINE OF SATAN.
me Sanctuary is huge subterraneau
IduIl' originally, no doubt, anatural cave.
A. Is IN seml-darkness when we enter, and
=. Is not easy TO determine its exact pro-
fsoLuons' but it appears to be about eighty
lteI long and forty feet broad A series