Directory_and_Chronicle_1881 — Page 47

Page 47 Page 47

Page 47 Page 47

MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.

35

they give alms to the poor and presents to their friends on account of the lives of all the Jews having been saved by Esther, (it is therefore calied "Feast of Esther") which happened on the 13th of the 6th month (civil year)—March.

The 10th of the first month of the civil year is the day of ATONEMENT, on which they observe a fast from 6 P.M. of the 9th to 7 P.M. of the 10th, and ask forgiveness for their sins. Other fasts w re also instituted 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 Gueda- liah (3rd of the first month) of the civil year.

Every seventh year is to the Jews a Sabbatical year; and we find that Alexander the Great granted them an ex mption from tribute on that year.

}

After seven weeks or Sabbath of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JUBILEE was celebrated; aud during the whole year they neither sowed nor reap d. Ou this fiftieth year every one resume possession of his inheritance, whether it were sold, mortgaged, or alienated in any way, and Hebrew slaves of every description were set fre, 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. The Mahomedan fast commerces each day throughout the month of this name, when the first streak of li ht borders the eastern horizon, and continues ustil the stars are clearly discerned in the heavens. During the whole of these hours not the slightest particle of food, not one single drop of water nor any other liquid, or smoke ever passes the lips. Each day during the fast is passed in occa- sional prayer, besides the usual nimaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the pro- phets. The fast is broken by dates, in remembrance of the Prophet's family, whose great luxury was supposed to b the date of Arabia, and some cooling draught is added if required. The conclusion of the month Ramazan is celebrated as au Eed festival and is bailed with great rejoicing ad merriment. In every house the same dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of is indulged in. In some houses the nautch girls are in the apartments of the gentlemen and the "domai" in those of the women,

.

EED KORBAN.-In commemoration of Abraham offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at M cca. The followers of Ma- homed claim to be descendants of Abrahan through his son Ishmael, who, they aver, was chosen as the offering to the Almighty, and not Isaac, thus diff ring from the Jews and Chri tians, groun ling 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 came's, sheep, goats or lambs, accordi: g to each person's means, which answer the purpose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. The followers of Ma- homed believe that the entr nce to Paradi 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 dauger, they belive that the animals they have sacrificed at the feast of Eed will be present to lend their aid to help them over in safety.

MOHARRAM. A celebrated mourning festival held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of Mussulmans-Hassain and Hossein-the two sons of Fatima and Ali, from whom the whole race of Syads have dese nded. Hassain was poisoned by an emissary of the usurping Kalipha, and Hossein, the last victim of the desce.- dants of the prophet's family, to King Yaz'd's (son of Mariah) fury, suffering death after the most severe trials on the plain of Kurbala, on the tenth day of the Arabian month of Moharram, the anniversary of which catastrophe is solemnised with the most devoted zeal. Hassain and Hossein were, as above stated, the two

cruel

Page 47 Page 47