Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
MALD1vANs' MYSTIC NUMBER.
Quaint Ceremonies In the Coronation
Of an East India Sovereign.


Sir John Keane, as representative Of tho
governor of Ceylon. has paid visit to the
Maldive Islands. the occasion being the as
sumption by the sultan OF the sword of
state. ceremony corresponding to a coro-
nation.
The British party sailed in the Proserpine
OF the East Indies squadron for Mall, the
principal island of the group. which extends
In series Of atolls for 900 miles. They lie
very low. and a first glimpse OF them sus-
gests simply trees growing out Of the wa
ter Out Of the thirty-six islands only nine
are inhabited.
When the Proserpine anchored OF Mali
a boat brought out the prime minister,
Abraham Dide, and later a splendidly fitted
state barge embarked Sir John Keane and
his staff for the shore. The palace Is close
to the landing stage. The party were led
by the royal bands, composed Of twenty
musicians playing tomtoms and trumpets
They performed weird chant as the pal
ace courtyards were passed through.
The only way to the royal apartments was
up doubtful ladder. The reception room
was gloomy. but lined with tapestry and
man gorgeously dressed in a long areen
silver embroidered gown, with small,
richly 5eweled turban-Inet the visitors He
Is only about twenty years of age and
hardly spoke above a whisper. He accept
ed gratefully a gift from the Ceylon gov
eminent of sword OF honor and other
presents
Next day the Proserpine was gaily dress
ed with flags. and a guard of seamen and
marines landed and formed up in the palace
square. Sir John Keane and staff followed
seven is a mystic number with the MAI
divians and the ceremony of assuming the
state sword had to be gone through seven
times. seven seats three of which were in
tents draped with colored materials and the
rlr, n r,tp tvaot 10 10 aIo4
having been erected for the ceremony. The
sultan. dressed in a long orange-colored
robe with silver embroidery. arrived from
the palace surrounded by the high officials
He was preceded by twenty volunteers,
neatly dressed In white European uniforms
and armed with rifles. and was followed
by the royal bodyguard carrying spears
and shields.
On arriving the sultan was conducted to
his seat and surrounded by the prime min
lister and all the other court dIgnitaries.
Then seven Incense bearers holding their
censers were ushered in and ranged them
selves in front of him. remaining there for
about five minutes, at the end of which
time their places were taken by seven fan
bearers. each holding a beautiful fan of
peacock feathers. These proceeded to 20
through display OF tanning accompanied
by the martial strains Of the band outside.
These In turn were relieved by seven other
shape OF bludgeon. They also went
through a series of motions, afterward Civ
Ing place to seven bearers with bottled
rosewatcr, with which they proceeded 10
sprinkle his highness.
On these withdrawing the sultan rose
from his seat and was formally invested
with the sword Of state by the high priest
salute of seven guns from the palace
square and seventeen from the Proserpine
announcing the fact to the people OF the
islands. All the court. headed by the prime
minister and high priest. then did homage
and kissed his highness' shoes.
similar ceremony took place at the
other seats. The procession then made the
circuit of the island, halting at seven
shrines where stands had been erected for
the women and a space cleared for the per-
formers of special dances and gameA