An account of the manners and customs of the modern Egyptians, written in Egypt during the years 1833-1835 . ntertains his friends witha feast, which is called the feast of the Nezleh. Numerousguests come to welcome him, and to say, Pray for pardon forme. He generally remains at home a week after his return ; andon the seventh day gives to his friends another entertainment,which is called the feast of the Subooa. This continues duringthe day and ensuing night j and a khatmeh, or a zikr, is usuallyperformed in the evening. On the morning after that on which the main body of thepilgrims of the g
An account of the manners and customs of the modern Egyptians, written in Egypt during the years 1833-1835 . ntertains his friends witha feast, which is called the feast of the Nezleh. Numerousguests come to welcome him, and to say, Pray for pardon forme. He generally remains at home a week after his return ; andon the seventh day gives to his friends another entertainment,which is called the feast of the Subooa. This continues duringthe day and ensuing night j and a khatmeh, or a zikr, is usuallyperformed in the evening. On the morning after that on which the main body of thepilgrims of the great caravan enter the metropolis, anotherspectacle is witnessed : this is the return of the Mahmal, which * This seems to be the correct appellation, but it is commonly called Mah-mal ; and I shall follow, on future occasions, the usual , as pronounced in Arabia, llejaz. 404 THE MODERN EGYPTIANS. is borne in procession from ihe Hasweh, through the raetropoHs,to the Citadel. This procession is not always arranged exactlyin the same order : I shall describe it as I have this day witnessed. THE MAHMAL. it, on the morning after the return of the pilgrims of wliich I havejust given an account. Firit, I must describe the Mahmal itself It is a square RETURN OF THE MAHMAL. 40S skeleton-frame of wood, with a pyramidal top; and has a coveringof black brocade, richly worked with inscriptions and ornamentalembroidery in gold, in some parts upon a ground of green or redsilk, and bordered with a fringe of silk, with tassels surmountedby silver balls. Its covering is not always made after the samel)attern with regard to the decorations ; but in every cover thatI have seen, I have remarked, on the upper part of the front, aview of the Temple of Mekkeh, worked in gold; and, over it, theSultans cypher. It contains nothing; but has two mus-hafs (orcopies of the Kur-an), one on a scroll, and the other in the usualform of a little book, and each enclosed in a case of gilt silver,at
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