. A most objectionable
class of male dancers also exists, who imitate the dances of the
Ghawazi, and dress in a kind of nondescript female attire. Not the
least curious of the public performances are those of the
serpent-charmers, who are generally Rifa'ia (Saadia) dervishes. Their
power over serpents has been doubted, yet their performances remain
unexplained; they, however, always extract the fangs of venomous
serpents. Jugglers, rope-dancers and farce-players must also be
mentioned. In the principal coffee-shops of Cairo are to be found
reciters of romances, surrounded by interested audiences.

Public festivals.

The periodical public festivals are exceedingly interesting, but many
of the remarkable observances connected with them are passing away.
The first ten days of the Mahommedan year are held to be blessed, and
especially the tenth; and many curious practices are observed on these
days, particularly by the women. The tenth day, being the anniversary
of the martyrdom of Hosain, the son of Ali and grandson of the
Prophet, the mosque of the Hasanen at Cairo is thronged to excess,
mostly by women. In the evening a procession goes to the mosque, the
principal figure being a white horse with white trappings, upon which
is seated a small boy, the horse and the lad, who represents Hosain,
being smeared with blood. From the mosque the procession goes to a
private house, where a mullah recites the story of the martyrdom.
Following the order of the lunar year, the next festival is that of
the Return of the Pilgrims, which is the occasion of great rejoicing,
many having friends or relatives in the caravan. The Mahmal, a kind of
covered litter, first originated by Queen Sheger-ed-Dur, is brought
into the city in procession, though not with as much pomp as when it
leaves with the pilgrims. These and other processions have lost much
of their effect since the extinction of the Mamelukes, and the gradual
disuse of gorgeous dress for the retainers of the officers of state. A
regiment of regular infantry makes but a sorry substitute for the
splendid cavalcade of former times. The Birth of the Prophet (Molid
en-Nebi), which is celebrated in the beginning of the third month, is
the greatest festival of the whole year. For nine days and nights
Cairo has more the aspect of a fair than of a city keeping a religious
festival. The chief ceremonies take place in