sectricis nympharum_ or she-circumciser is
as stable an occupation with some matrons as that of cock-castration or
caponizing is the sole occupation of many a matron in the south of
Europe. It is related by Abulfeda that, in the battle of Ohod, where
Mohammedanism came very near to a sudden end by the crushing defeat of
the prophet and his followers, Hamza, the uncle of the prophet, seeing
in the opposing ranks a Koreish chief, whom he knew, thus called out:
"Come on, you son of a she-circumciser!" As Hamza was among the slain,
it is most likely that he met his death from the hands of the chief,
whose mother really followed that occupation. So extensive is the
practice, that these old women sometimes go through a village crying out
their occupation, like itinerant tinkers or scissors-grinders.

The present ceremonies attending the performance of the rite among the
Arabians are well described by Dr. Delange, a surgeon of the French
army, as witnessed by him in the province of Constantine, in Algeria.

With these Arabs, circumcision is performed on a whole class, so to
speak, at the same time, regardless of the trifling differences in their
ages. It is preceded by feasting, the total length of the feast being
for eight days. For the first seven days, all the Arabs of the quarter
where the candidates for circumcision reside dress in their best. The
poor have their mantles and clothes carefully washed, and the rich deck
themselves out in their gold and silver brocaded vests and pantaloons.
During these seven days there is general rejoicing, and the Arabs spend
most of this time in the village street, racing, firing guns, or
engaging in sham battles between the different camps, during which one
carries the green, or sacred banner, which is supposed to render the
bearer invulnerable. The battle ends by the standard-bearer being fired
at by all parties, and falling, but quickly rising again and waving the
flag in token of its protecting power. The Arabs now adjourn to another
public place, where the notables and strangers are furnished seats on
carpets; here a dance to the music of tumtums and the singing of
invisible females takes place, the dancers being only males.[13] In the
evening the women sing, to which the men listen in silence, this concert
being kept up until midnight. On the seventh day, the women, decked out
in their best, and with all their personal ornaments, accompanied by all
the young men, armed with their gu