Directory_and_Chronicle_1869 — Page 50

1

38

MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

fruit, they waved them towards the four quarters of the world, singing songs and crying "Hosannah.”

These were the three great Festivals at which all the males were required to go up to Jerusalem to worship. "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles."-(Deut. xvi., 16; Ex. xxxiv., 23).

The Feast of TRUMPETS was celebrated on the first day of their civil year (Sep- tember), its commencement being proclaimed by sound of trumpet, and the day was kept solemn, all business being forbidden, and certain sacrifices appointed to be offered. There are also two others feasts, though not appointed by law, which require notice, as they are often mentioned in Jewish history. The feast of DEDICATION was appointed to celebrate the re-establishment of Divine worship in Jerusalem, after Antiochus Epiphanes 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. Poorim, or the feast of Esther, falls on the 14th and 15th of the sixth month (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, and bewail their sins. Other fasts were also in- stituted in later times, connected with the siege of Jerusalem (10th of tenth 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 Eccle- siastical year.

Every seventh year was to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexander 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 inheri tance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way, and Hebrew slaves of every description 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.

MAHOMEDAM.

RAMAZAN.-The Mahomedan 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 namaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the prophets. The fast is 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 pomegranate, 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 crud) and sugar, form the first morning's repast of the Eed; dried dates are eaten with it, in remembrance 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 Eedor 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 nach 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 favours to others.-11th March.