of ascetic darwishes, wearing neither hat nor
shoes nor other garments than a pair of pants, when the weather is
mild. Holding in their bands a whip about two feet long and one or two
inches in diameter, made of small iron strands, they beat their bare
shoulders and back with the same as they march shouting, "Yahu,
Yamalhu" which are names of their god. Following comes another band of
darwishes bearing in one hand a knotty club to which is fastened nails,
bits of brass, etc. With the other hand they beat their breasts as they
repeat the cry of the preceding band. These worshipers torture the
flesh by beating it thus and bruise it black. The procession is
completed by a crowd of boys and girls and women following. The
marching commences early in the morning and continues till eleven; is
taken up again at two in the afternoon and continues till six o'clock.

The greatest demonstration of all occurs on the last of the ten days.
At sunrise the crowds of former days gather around the mosques to start
again on the marches. On this day there are also fresh recruits. In
front of the mosque is a band of 50 to 100 men and boys of 13 to 40
years of age. They are bareheaded, and uniformed with a white shirt
over the other clothing that reaches to the feet. Held in the right
hand before each one is a two edged sword. The left hand rests on the
belt of the soldier next in front. The leader standing at the head of
the band recites their creed: "Allah is God and the only God. Mohammed
is the prophet of God and Ali is his vicar." All the band repeats this
creed. Immediately the leader smites his own brow with his sword, and
this act is imitated by all his followers. Soon the faces and white
clothing of the men are red with blood. Bleeding they go marching
through the streets shouting: "Hassan Hussein," and waving their swords
in harmony with step and voice. Their rout can often be traced by drops
of blood in the streets. When zeal reaches a high pitch, the blows are
repeated on their brows. Fearing that these zealous young men may lose
all regard for life, and inflict upon themselves mortal blows,
relatives or friends frequently walk near with long sticks in hand to
hinder them from such deeds.

This band first marches to the courthouse to be seen by the governor.
Every band has a right to ask the governor for the freedom of some one
prisoner, and these requests are always granted, no matter what the
crime of the imprisoned. These ble