Directory_and_Chronicle_1884 — Page 22

MAHOMEDAN FESTIVALS, PASTS, AND OBSERVANCES,

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The 10th of the first month of the civil year is the day of ATONEMENT, on which they observe a fast from 6 r.. of the 9th to 7 .. of the 10th, and ask forgiveness for their sins. Other fasts were 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 exemption from tribute in that year.

After seven weeks or Sabbath of years, that is, after seven times seven years, the great Festival of the JenLEE 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 description were set free, with their wives and childrcu. 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 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 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. sional prayer, besides the usual nimaz, and in reading the Koran or lives of the pro- Each day during the fast is passed in occa- phets. The fast is broken by dates, in remembrance of the Prophet's family, whose great luxury was supposed to be the date of Arabia, and some cooling draught is added if required. The conclusion of the month Ramazan is celebrated as an Eed festival and is hailed with great rejoicing and merriment. In every house the same dainties are provided, every amusement that can be thought of is indulged in. In some houses th: nautch girls are in the apartments of the gentlemen and the “domzi” in those of the women.

E EOBBAN-In commemoration of Abraham offering up Ishmael; and this is the day on which they annually perform the Haj at Mecca. The followers of Mahomed claim to be descendant,” of Abraham through his son Ishmael, who, they arer, 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 camela, sheep, goats or lambs, according to each person's means, which answer the purpose of honouring the memory of Abraham and Ishmael. The followers of Mahomed believe that the entrance to Paradise is guarded by a bridge as narrow as & 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.

MOHABRAM.-,

-A celebrated mourning festival held annually in remembrance of the first martyrs of Musзulinans-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 descen dants of the prophet's family, King Yazid's (son of Mavith) fury, suffered a cruel 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 Bona of Ali, by his cousin Fatima, the daughter of Mahomed, and after the murder of their father by the contrivances of the then ruling Kalipha, they with their families removed from Shawn, the capital, to Medina. After residing there for several years, - the people of Shawn, being tied of King Yazid's tyrannical rule, invited Hossein to return to the capital, and as me his lawful rank as Iman (leader of the faithful)

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PARSEE FESTIVALS AND OBSERVAN, ES,

Before accepting this invitation, Hossein sent Moslem, his in, as a messenger to report the true state of affairs to him; but on his arrival wi his two sous at Shawn, he was seized by order of King Yazid, and cast from a provipice, and his two sous were barbarously murdered, for the sake of the reward offered for their heads. This forms the subject of the ten days' bewailing during the Moharram. The Mahomedans are divided into distinct sects, called the Sunis and the Shias. The former regard Ali and his descendants as the lawful leaders after Mahomed, and the latter the Kaliphas, as Abubakr, Omar, &c., hence quarrels, animosities, and dis- likes are hoarded up to be avenged when opportunity offers. The festival begins on the first day of the moon (Moharram), and tazias (a term signifying grief, and applied to a representation of the mausoleum erected over the remains of Iman Hossein at Kurbalu), 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 held morning and evening in the Imanbares during the Moharram, 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 Marsial, a poctical composition of great merit, and embracing the whole of the subject they commemorate, is chanted with great effect; the names of their lawful leaders are recounted with blessings, and those of the Kaliphas with curses. Then comes the procession of Dhal Dhal-Hossein's horse killed at Kurhala, beautifully caparisoned; and finally the tazias are deposited with funeral rites in the public burial grounds, when the Moharram

ceases.

PARSEE.

The Farsees of India are divided into two sects--the "Shanshahis" or "Rasmis," and the "Kudmis" or "Churigars," the former of whom constitute the larger portion of the race. This division originated only about a hundred and fifty years ago, when & learned Persian priest, named Jamasp, arrived in India, and found that his co-religionists differed from their brethren of Iran in their calculation of time by a full month, and in other minor points relating to their liturgy. Serious disputes arose in consequence, which ended in the formation of the two sects, the Shanshahis adhering to their own views, and the Kudmis adopting the opinions imported by Jamasp, thus agreeing with their Persian brethren. Notwithstanding this division, no estrangement exists between them in their social intercourse. The difference lics only in their computation of time, and in some slight variations in their form of prayer. Intermarriage is allowed as well as admission to each other's places of worship.

The festivals of the Parsees are celebrated with little or no outward

Their pomp. holidays are mostly occupied in prayer in the morning, and festivities and rejoicing during the rest of the day. Some of their religious institutions are traced to a very ancient period. The festival of the Nowroz dates from upwards of three thousand years before Christ, and is kept to this day by most of the natious of Western Asia, notwithstanding the difference of creed. The Emperor Akbar adopted the “Nowroz” and fourteen other festivals of the Pursces for the observance of those why were attached to his favourite doctrines of the "Ilabi faith," or the "Religion of God," which he fruitlessly endeavoured to introduce among the people.

PAPETI, OR NEW YEAR'S DAY.-Among the festivals observed by the Parsecs, the first and most universally kept is the Papeti, or new year's day. On this day the Parsees rise early, and dress thi selves in new suits of clothes, and those piously disposed say their prayers in their private residences or visit their friends and rela- tives, when the "Hama-jor" or joining of hands is performed; this ceremony is a sort of greeting corresponding to the Europeau fashion of wishing each other a happy new year. Their friends and relations are invited to breakfast. The morning thus occu- pied, they spend the rest of the day in their country houses or clubs, where feasting