The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-07-25
DEVIL WORSHIPPERS.
THE MYSTIC SECT THAT PAYS
REVERENCE TO SATAN.


Eeric and Jrnholy Ritex-NIidnight
CcremOnie. Witnessed In One OF
the Loyeliest Valleys Of Central
Asin-Worship of the Peacock.
Some seventeen miles or so north
east Of Mosul, in Asiatic Turkey, is O
delightful highland glen known far
and wide throughout the country as
the Valley of Sheikh Adj. Encircled
by a low range of yerdure clad hills,
it Is completely closed in by them,
and cut off from the outer world. The
mountain sides are terraced and stud
ded with evergreen oaks, spreading
sycamores and glossy terebinths,
clumps of waving palms and gnarled
wild olives that afford pleasant shade
and shelter from the fierce beams of
the too intrusive Eastern sun. A
bushy underground of shrubs covers
the gentler declivities on either hand,
and the pale pure meadow crocus and
glowing ranunculus carpet the ground
in regular patches. The musical CUR
gle Of falling water strikes gently and
soothingly on the ear, while the ex-
pectant eye catches, amid the green of
the trees, the rainbow sparkle Of
score of tiny rivulets and brooks that
spring from the heights above and
come tumbling and foaming to the
lower ground, forming miniature cas-
cades and cataracts, slowly meander-
Ing away afterward until they are lost
In stream that finds it's outlet in
turn of the glen concealed from view.
There is but one building to be seen
In the valley-a rectangular structure
perfectly plain and unpretending,
some forty feet long and thirty feet
broad in the centre, with dome or
cupola surmounting it, an enclosed
courtyard open to the sky, at one ex-
tremity, and a series of small cabins
abutting against the other end consti-
tuting part Of it. The edifice is
white,white as snow, and shows in the
CLINT of the sunbeams like a speck Of
glowing metal against the verdant
background of foliage. The glen is an
ideal spot, paradiscal retreat, but,
Notwithstanding this, it is dreaded
and feared by the people of the sur
rounding country. Moslem, Christian
and Jew all alike avoid it. Not for
world would one Of them enter it, for
the valley is the home and "Mazar,"
OF meeting place, Of the hated "Yezi-
dis" the devil worshipers of Kurdis-
tan, strange tribe which for centur-
les has made Satan the object of it's
alterations, while the white building in
the midst Of the glen is the tomb of
their reputed founder and saint, the
Sheikh Adj. Here these secthries of
the devil gather three times in the
year Tor the purpose of celebrating
thos eerle and unholy rites of thei1
cult Which have made them abhorred
by their neighbors and fellowmen. =.
Striking and picturesque to degree
is the appearance of the valley as
rode down into it the gathering dark
ness of lovely night in early sum
mer. 1t is the eve of one of the prin
clpal solemnities Of the sect, and The
place is full of Yezidis who have co1ht
from every part of Kurdistan to gree
the "kak' or spiritual head Of the fra
ternlty, whom 1 hive already met a.
Aleppo, where he usually resides
Some two thousand of them are en-
eamped within the billy corcle round
Inelr tents are pitched under ever,
Tree ana near every rill Of water
Ihelr tires CLEAN on the decliyitie.
ana slopes, their lights twinkle through
the dusk in every direction and from
every point of vantage, having oil fin
erect of a general illumination.
Men, strange Of figure move stealth
ny ABOUT IN the singular garb, whic]
proclalms the YYezidi. They wear
long white undergarment an overmar
tie OF yellow, reaching nearly down t
the ankels, and conical, black car
which has gained for them, anon
Moslems, the designation ''Karabash
(black head, by which they are ger
orally known throughout Asiatic Tu1
/ Key. The upper part of their carmen
Is always open, showing the knotte
cord round the neck by which the tru
, Worshipper of the devil may inyarit
= bly, be distinguished. This cord hang
. down in front, is never taken off fc
|. an instant by Yezidi and is know
l as "Mahak," the bride, that is.
8 The women gathered near the fire
e that begin to get low as night zoe
> on, wear white garments only and
! yellow head dress. Here and there
l black browed "Karabash" or brothe
: attired wholly in black, passes by q
. his way to the shrine Of the Sheik
= Adj, and anon "Pir" or priest, in IL
. flame colored mantle which proclaim
his standing in the Yezidi hierarch
= moves silently in the direction of IL
sanctuary. ~
r The ceremonies Of the sect do n
J. commence until midnight, so there
f time for all to rest in the interval al
8 prepare for the solemlity. The dar
; ~