Directory_and_Chronicle_1864 — Page 81

06

MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

had been vanquished and the temple purified. It is observed for eight days from the 25th of the third month (November), and is also called the Feast of Lights, from the illuminations which the Jews make during these days in their houses. The feast of Purin falls on the 11th and 15th of the sixth mouth (February), and commemorates the defeat of Haman. On these days they give alms to the poor and presents to their friends.

The 10th of the first month of the civil year is the day of ATONEMENT, on which they observe a fast from evening to evening and bewail their sins. Other fasts were also instituted in later times, connected with the siege of Jerusalem (10th of tench month), the capture of the city (17th of the fourth month), the burning of the temple (9th of the fifth month), and the death of Gedaliah (3rd of the seventh month) of the Ecclesiastical year.

Every seventh year was to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexauder

the Great granted them an exemption from tribute on that year.

After seven weeks or Sabbaths of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JUBILEE was celebrated; and during the whole year they neither sowed nor reaped. On this fiftieth year every one resumed possession of his inheritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way; and Hebrew slaves of every des- cription were set free, with their wives and children. Houses and edifices in walled towns were the only kind of property that did not return to the original owner in the year of the Jubilee.

MAHOMEDAN.

RAMAZAN.-This Mahomedam fast commences each day throughout the month of this name, when the first streak of light borders the eastern horizon and continues until the stars are clearly discerned in the heavens. During the whole period not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water, nor any other liquid, passes the lips from the dawn till the appearance of the stars in the evening. Each day during the fast is passed in occasional prayer, besides the usual namáz, and in reading the Koran or the lives of the prophets. The fast is first broken by a cooling draught called Dandhi, the same which is used in fevers. It is composed of the lettuce, cucumber, and melon, with coriander, well pounded, and afterwards diluted with cold water; rose water, sugar, syrup of pome- granate, and kurat, are also added; the whole preparation is made in the zenana, and then drunk by basins-full by all true Rozedhars. Plain boiled rice, with dhi (sour curd) and sugar, form the first morning's repast of the Eed; dried dates are eaten with it in re- membrance of the prophet's family, whose greatest luxury was supposed to be the date of Arabia. The conclusion of the month Ramazan is celebrated as an EED or festival, and is hailed with great rejoicing and merriment, as a sort of reward for their severe abstinence. In every house the same dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of is indulged in; the nách women in the apartments of the gentlemen, and the domini in those of the women are in great request, on the last day of the Ramazan, when the matron of the mansion sits in state to receive nazars from inferiors, and to grant favors to others. -Fide 11th March.

EED.-The followers of Mahomed claim to be the descendants of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was chosen as the offering to the Almighty, and not Isaac, thus differing from the Jews and Christians, grounding their assertions on traditions which they deem conclusive evidence on the subject, in opposition to the authority of the Bible. The offering thus made is annually commemorated by the sacrifice of animals, such as camels, sheep, goats, kids, or lambs, according to each person's means, which answer the double purpose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael, and also assisting as a meal in time of need. The followers of Mahomed believe that the entrance to Paradise is guarded by a bridge as narrow as a scythe or some such equally sharp instru- ment, affording a precarious and unstable footing. To enable them, therefore, to pass without danger, they believe that the animals they have sacrificed at the feast of Eed will be present to lend their aid to help them over in safety.-Vide 12th March.

EED KORBAN.-In commemoration of Abraham offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at Mecca.-Vide 18th May.

MOHARRAM. --A celebrated mourning festival, held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of the Mussalmans-Hassain and Hossein--the two sons of Fatima and Ali, from whom the whole race of Syads have descended. Hassain was poisoned by an emis- sary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein the last victim of the descendants of the pro-