The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-21
LIFE ABOUT MAHDrS TOMB.
PEEP INSIDE THE FAMOUS CITY
OF THE DERVIsHEs.


sOudan-A City Infested With
Thieves and spies and Full of
wild RumOrs.
The following description of Omdur-
man, which is of unusual interest just
now, is taken from Ten Years Captivity
in the Mahdi's' Camp" Col. Wingate's
translation of Father Joseph Ohrwllder's
book, 'Omdurman," 1t begins the der
wish Khartoum-ls by far the most i'm
portant OF all the towns; and being the
place OF the death and burial Of the Mahdi.
1t Is quite right that it should be the CAPT
tai of the kingdom which he founded
Just as Medina is one of the most holy
places Of Islam, so is it considered advis-
able to raise Omdurman to a similar posi-
ton.
by far the most important and con-
spicuous structure in Omdurman is the
mahdFs tomb. and In spite Of the kalifa's
divergence from his masters views, still
he considers it polite to show that ne is
grateful to his benefactor. His desire
was to build tomb which should excel
everything between Omdurman and AL
exandria. 1t is said that the dome can
be seen three days journey from Omdur-
man, but on this point 1 am not prepared
to give an opinion, as I never went be-
yond Khartoum. From here, of course,
the dome, rising high above the misera-
bic mud novels and straw huts, is most
conspicuous object, and il Is certainly
the tallest of all the buildings in the Sou
dan.
The tomb means to the Soudan Mos
lem what the Kaba at Mecca means to
the thousands of pilgrims who visit 1t
but pilgrimage is not enjoined to the
mahdis tomb. To come to Omdurman
is quite sufficient without being obliged
to go through various ceremonies. ON
durham is detested in the Soudan; and
no one who is not obliged 10 live there
would stay for a day longer than he
could help; and the farther people can
distance themselves from it the better
they like 1t.
Since the mahdi appeared, pilgrimages
to Mecca ceased, because, while he was
alive, visit to him was supposed to sup
ply all its advantages. And when he died
visit to his tomb was supposed to confer
even greater benefits than the piigrimages
to Mecca. Several of the Fallata, who
came from distant parts of Bornu, Wadai.
etc, were stopped at Omdurman when on
their way to Mecca
Khalifa Abdullah did not, however, con-
fine himself only to beautifying the NAH
dis tomb. Being now the sole monarch.
ne desired also to beautify his own resi-
dence. 1t will be remembered how, with
Wad Adams assistance, he had organized
the belt ell NAL. Now, close to the mahdis
tomb, was the great mosque-not a mosque
in its usual sense, but an immense yard,
which would hold upwards of 10000 men
extending in long rows of 1000 1t was
roofed in by enormous mats, held up on
innumerable forked sticks, which gave
1t the appearance of forest. This ''ruku-
oa," or kneeling place was capable of hold
ing $1,000 men, whose Rurmurng sounded
like distant thunder. AT first the great
inclosing wall was made of mud but after
ward Khalifa Abdullah had it pulled down
and good wall made of burnt bricks and
lime.
THE mihrab or niche, marking the di-
rection of Mecca, in which the mahdi re-
peated prayers, is situated little to the
east OF the center, and is square in shape
with mud walls and gable roof, made
of iron plates from the Khartoum arsenal;
gates open in the walls on the north,
south, east and west. The mihrab is en-
tered from the west, but Is well protected
by branches of trees, so as to prevent the
ansar from crowding up too close The
floor is sprinkled with fine sand; the kha-
lifa repeats prayers in the big mosque
on Friday at noon; but he says daily pray
ers in the rukuba, in which there is a
whitewashed platform about six feet high,
on which he stands.
Close to the rukuba Is a square build
ing with matched gable roof supported
with two pillars. This is open on three
sides, but surrounded by well-carved and
painted wooden ratings; in this there is
a seat about three feet high in which the
khalifa sit when he addresses the
ansar. As one leaves the east gate of the
rukuba the khalifa palace gate is visible
being built quite close to the mosque.
THE khalifa's palace Is known as the
Bah, just as the Sultan's palace
is known as the Bah Ali, or porte. This
palace contains a number of different di-
visions, all built of mud besmeared with
red sand Just within the great gate is
the only two-storied house In Omdur-
man, which the khalifa has purposely
built in order to overlook the whole
town, and from here he can see as far as
Kerreri to the north, and as far as Om-
durham fort to the south. Gordons
ruined palace in Khartoum Is also visi-
BILE. Near the great gate, and close to
the outside wall of the mosque. is build
ing surrounded by wooden ratings, in
which the Judge sits and carries on his
court.
THE khalifa is very fond of going about
to different parts of the town, accom-
panied by crowds of people, and as he
found the morrow streets impeded his
progress and detracted from his splendor,
he ordered his engineer Omar to con-
struct broad, straight roads to all the
principal places These necessitated the
removal of thousands of mud huts. which
were Immediately demolished; but never
heard that the proprietors received any
indemnity for the losses they sustained.
A broad road now leads from the north
gate of the mosque to the Hejira Cor place
from which expeditions start near the
Knor Shambat This road, as l previous
ly mentioned, is called "the Martyrs
road The second large road leads from
the west gate of the mosque to the Arda
Tor parade place. and is known as the
'Darb ell Arda third main road leads
to the southern Hejiras whence expedl-
lions leave for Kordofan, Darfur, etc.
In addition to these main roads are
innumerable winding streets and lanes, to
traverse which a guide is absolutely nee
essary. The great mahdis dome forms an
excellent landmark.