The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-09-05
THE DANCE OF DAVID.
Curious Religious Ceremony Peculiar to
the Abyssinians.

the Abyssinians.
The following extracts, says the
London Graphic. are from the diary
OF Captain II. Z. Cobbold, during his
journey to join the Abyssininns oper-
ating with the British forces against
the Mad Mullah; II was lucky to
have been in Harrar at the festival OF
the Dance of David Before the Ark
OF the Covenant of the Lord The
sight is probably but little changed
since the first performance 1900 years
ago and still bears, in all probability.
an intimate relation to the old Jew
ish dance. The Christianity of Abys-
sinia of to-day. in accordance and m
religious observance. Is replica OF
ancient Christendom, such as 1t was In
the time of Constantine, and In this
sense alone offers historical interest
such as Is afforded by no other coun-
try mt the present moment
But to get on with the dance. Its
origin dates from the year 323 A. d..
or thereabouts when the Emperor
Constantine called together the first
council of Bishops In Constantinople
AT that time the Abysslnlans had been
recently converted to Christianity
and, as time went on, sent, as did
other Christian Kingdoms and States,
Bishop or representative of the
church. at the invitation Of the EN-
peror. to the yearly Council of Bishops
ut Constantinoplc. where the ordin-
nf hn oh F.., q
year were drawn up and agreed upon
At the sixth council the Dance Of
David Before the Ark of the Cove
nant of the Lord was revived, hav-
ing been copied from the Jews, and
was ordered TO be hereafter included
in the ordinances for each ensuing
year by the Representatives of the
Christian Church. 1t seems. however.
that nj the seventh Council of
Bishops. the continuation of the dance
of David was disalowed. and the
order for its performance rescinded.
But it happened that the Bishop repre-
sentlng Abyssinia was unable to be
present either Mt this or the next
council; the country. in all probability,
being In n state of war, and unable
TO consider spiritual matters. The
Abysslnian Church. therefore, con-
tinucd in ignorance Of the order re-
scinding the dance. which has. in con-
sequence. been continued and per-
formed on the sacred Saturday before
Easter
AS we neared the courtyard of Ras
Makennon's house we were greeted
with sounds of singing. Upon enter
ing we were surprised to find the place
crowded with people, and then real
lied that we had been asked to wit
ness Il religious ceremony. Some of
those present We're beautifully attlred
nj Indian robes, and wore gold crowns
covered with precious stones. Others
dressed in white, with a deep red
band running down the centre dis
tinguishing them from Mohamme-
dans,) the headdress consisting of a
large white turban. All these people
were seated on the ground in the YER
anda. and in the centre we discov-
cred the Garasmatch General of the
Right seated on chair of state
After greeting him | had time to look
about at the weird crowd facing us in
Il semi-circle. At my left, under a
magnilicently embroidered umbrella
stood an aged man. and in his inn
mediate following were small children.
holding soine scriptural sign The old
man was the high priest. Beyond
him, and completing the semi-clrcle,
stood other men, all dressed In white,
some holding wands and others rat
ties, while still others were weighted
down with heavy drums. Thus they
sang the Psalms of Davld-to the ac-
compartment of music and dancing.
The priests, as they continued the
movement, gradually warmed up %
the work. and ended In a wild, fan
tastical figure. This over, repre-
sentative was chosen from among the
priests, who delivered long harangue
10 the Garasmatch. chanting psalms
and eXtolliDg the merits of the EN-
peror, Ras Makennon. and the Garas-
match himself. finishing by hoping
that the Garasmatch would not for
get that they had tasted for two
months, and that he would give them
plenty of food and money.
The General of the Right thereupol
asked us to call upon him In half an
hour. and then proceeded to the re-
ception hall, where the priests re-
ccived money ard an invitation to
breakfast On the following morning.
After this the priests broke up into
small parties. and visited the various
European high officials in the town,
from whom they demanded money.
Each man. on giving them a present.
received a talisman from Che priests.
meaning Good lIck and peace be ID
| them"
A Too-Con1dlng Immigrant.
Say. young fellow, what do ycu