Archive image from page 362 of Discovery Discovery discovery0304londuoft Year: DISCOVERY 13 retired to their homes to rest and to discuss the pleasures of the day. Festival at Manial On the following day the annual mftlid of the Sheikh 5abr was celebrated at Manial, a small village pictur- esquely situated on the bank of the Bahr el-Yusuf. At one end of the village stands a large tree of considerable age, said to mark the resting-place of the sheikh, though perhaps originally there was a domed tomb as well, which has now disappeared. However, the sheikh is at the present time definitely ass
Archive image from page 362 of Discovery Discovery discovery0304londuoft Year: DISCOVERY 13 retired to their homes to rest and to discuss the pleasures of the day. Festival at Manial On the following day the annual mftlid of the Sheikh 5abr was celebrated at Manial, a small village pictur- esquely situated on the bank of the Bahr el-Yusuf. At one end of the village stands a large tree of considerable age, said to mark the resting-place of the sheikh, though perhaps originally there was a domed tomb as well, which has now disappeared. However, the sheikh is at the present time definitely associated with the tree. I noticed that several large nails had been driven into the trunk, many of them having human hair twisted round them, the hair varying in colour from very fair to dark brown. These nails are hammered into the tree by a suppliant, when he or she makes a request to the sheikh. Thus a man or woman suffering from headache or other ailments will come to the tree, offer up a petition for recovery, knock a nail into the trunk, and then often twist round the nail some of his or her hair ; a cure being, it is supposed, sure to follow this procedure. Childless women also visit the sacred tree in order to be cured of their barrenness. The Sheikh Sabr is much venerated, not only by the inhabitants of his own village, but also by those of the surrounding villages. He is looked upon as a very good man and as most benevolent to those who seek his aid. A Religious Dance and other Features of this Festival In view of the veneration paid to this sheikh, a very large crowd had assembled in the neighbourhood of his tree by the time that I arrived on the scene—some time before noon. As I rode on my way to the village through the cultivation, I passed a number of people, both old and young, on their way to the festival. When I joined the crowd I found the usual brisk trade going on, some of the vendors of wares having erected rough booths, under which they could take shelter
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