Directory_and_Chronicle_1876 — Page 56

MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

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EED.-The followers of Mahomed claim to be 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, 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 instrument, 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.-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.-18th May.

MOHARRAM.-A celebrated mourning festival, held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of the Mussulmans-Hassain and Hossein--the two sons of Fatima and Ali, from whom the whole race of Syads have descended. Hassain was poisoned by an emissary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein, the last victim of the descendants of the prophet's family to King Yazid's fury, suffering a cruel death after the most severe trials on the plain of Kurbala, on the tenth day of the Arabian month Mobarram, the anniversary of which catastrophe is solemnised with the most devoted zeal. Hassain and Hossein were, as above stated, the two sons of Ali, by his cousin Fatima, the daughter of Mahomed, and after the murder of their father by the contrivances of the Kalipha, they with their families removed from Shawn the capital, to Medina. After residing there for several years, the people of Shawn, being tired of King Yazid's tyrannical rule, invited Hossein to return to the capital, and assume his lawful right as Iman (leader of the faithful). Before accepting this invitation, Hossein sent Moslem, his cousin, as a messenger to report the true state of affairs to him; but on his arrival with his two sons at Shawn, he was seized by order of King Yazid, and cast from a precipice, and his two sons were barbarously murdered, for the sake of the reward offered for their heads. This forms the subject of the ten days' bewailing during the Moharran. The Mahomedans are divided into distinct sects, called the Shian and the Sunias. The former regard Ali and his descendants to be the lawful leaders after Mabomed, and the latter the Kaliphas, as Abubakr, Omar, &c., hence quarrels, animosities, and dislikes are hoarded up to be avenged during the Moharran. The festival begins on the first day of the moon (Moharran). Tazias (a term signifying grief, and applied to a representation of the mausoleum erected over the remains of Iman Hossein at Kurbala), made of ivory, ebony, sandalwood, cedar, and some wrought in silver filigree, and indeed of every variety of material, from pure silver to bamboo and paper, according to the rank and wealth of the party, are exhibited in every direction, and conveyed in procession through the streets. Mourning assemblies are beld morning and evening in the Imanbares, during the Moharran, and the head priest or preacher recites a subject for each day's service, from the various books composed on the subject, descriptive of the lives and sufferings of Hassain and Hossein. The Marsiah, a poetical composition of great merit, and embracing the whole of the subject they commemorated, is chanted with great effect; the names of their lawful leaders are recounted with blessings, and that of the usurpers, the Kaliphas, with curses. Then comes the procession of Dhal Dhal-Hossein's horse, killed at Kurbala, beautifully caparisoned; and finally the Tazias are deposited with funeral rites in the public burial grounds, when the Mobarran ceases. The Tabut is a slight framework of bamboo, in the shape of a mausoleum, covered aud ornamented with coloured paper and tinsel. They vary considerably in size and appearance, according to the taste and ability of those who build them. Before these Tabuts incense is burned and various other rites are performed. The Tabuts, it is said, are peculiar to India. They are not mentioned in the Koran, nor are they built by the inhabitants of Persia and Arabia. Many Mahomedans regard them with strong disapprobation. In Bombay the