Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-06-29
A FESTIVAL IN INDIA.
AnDickinson Boys Experience in a
Mohammedan Land.

1
Of many strange and superstition
beliefs. These may have lost mos
Of their novelty to the Indian native
who sees them almost daily al
through his life, but to the Western
mind they are not only strangely new
but also in many cases entertainin,
and instructive. And yet, judgin,
from the number of the masses of ma
tives that flock TO witness these gal,
occasions, they have by no mean
lost their charm.
The latest event Of this nature ha,
been the Mohammedan ''Mahorum.
1t is a festival in honor to and re
membrane OF Hassan and Hosein
two OF Mahomet's sons, who were
slain in battle. The festival which
lasted for more than two weeks, wa.
characterized by gorging in victuals
and Tree indulgence Of the Moham'
medan's weakness fox liquor. In con.
sequence Of this latter there were nu-
merous brawls, and muscular force
was frequently resorted to in at
tempting to settle personal Difficult
ties.
With the Mohammedan generally
the combative chronological dump
seems to be abnormally developed.
Though have never felt Mussul-
mans head, this is the conclusion
reach judging from his taste for quar-.
rels and propagating riots.
During the Mahorum just past
there were frequent parades or pro.
cessions, some OF which were con-
Quoted in daylight aud others at
night. The daylight professions
were not nearly SO demonstrative.
With large banners connected by rope
in file on each side of the procession,
the Mussulman paraded quietly along,
only singing occasionally and beating
their breasts with the palms of their
hands and chanting: "Hassan, Hosein!
Hassan, Hosein!"
At night, however, the demonstra-
ton assumed a much more noisy and
fanatical aspect. Large and richly
decorated facsimiles Of celebrated
tombs were carried at the head of
each distinct company. Immediately
following were lot of men and boys
armed with long slaves and war clubs.
These they held aloft and FLASHED to-
gether at a lively rate. Next came
the players with fire, who, with large
oiled cloths tied to the end of slaves,
went whirling and dancing along
while with the blazing cloths they de-
scribed the circumference of many
circle.
Some members Of each party would
seek to impersonate the dead broth
ers. Armed with sham swords and
shields they kept up a lively fencing
contest as the company moved along.
Thus for several hours the companies
jook their turn mingling with the
ong procession that required from
1880 p. m. to 1890 a. m. the next
morning to pass given point.
Arriving at the ldestination of the
procession the Mussulmen dipped
heir large flags against the side of
he little mosque and then ran away
gain. Inside the small mosque was
n efligy Of the bier Of the two broth.
RS Hassan and Hosen.
The whole affair was characterized
y widest fanaticism and really was
lost suggestive of Hades Of any
arthly sight it has been my privilege
D witness.
The city police armed guarded be-
ween the rival companies and surely
ad their hands full. They deserve
reat credit for the mastery way in
hich they predominated the occa-
on and preserved such good disci-
line.
The Mahorum is political rather
ian religious occasion and is dis
by one section of the
But be that as it
lay it i'll becomes any sect that
aunts itself the only true people of
cd and calls all who are not Of like
nth Inhdels.
Perhaps word as to the termina-
on Of this remarkable festival. 1t
as on the Sabbath day that the COM
anies brought their paper shams Of
'mbs and presented them at large
Iosque after which they cast them