'Some years travels into divers parts of Africa, and Asia the great. Describing more particularly the empires of Persia and Industan: interwoven with such remarkable occurrences as hapned in those parts during these later times. As also, many other rich and famous kingdoms in the oriental India, with the isles adjacent. Severally relating their religion, language, customs and habit: as also proper observations concerning them.' [‎326] (349/448)

— : — V-
Fejlivah.
neither howl longer, nor for a months fpace recover their voices. The Dervis and
other Santoons or Enthufiafticks being in the croud exprefs their zeal by turning rounds
fo long together, and with fuch fwiftnefs as will hardly be credited, which by cuftome is
made inoffenfive: and others I have leen in this vertiginous exercife at the Cavalcades
when Ambafladors were met upon the way, a circumgyration we beheld with admirati
on. The tenth day they find an imaginary Hnjfan, the Mahometan Tetragrammaton,
that Nirnqnamq^ fat is qmptus Adonis-, whom they echo forth in Stentorian clamours, till
they bring him to his Grave ^ where they let him fleep quietly till the next years zeal fetch
him out (Semper enim yerdmt femper & inveniunt) and force him again to accompany their
devotion. Parallel to which is that in Ovid, 10. Metamorph.
Ludus monnmenta manebunt Our forrom Monument Jhatl ever lafi :
Semper Adoni mei, repetitaq*, mortis Imago Adonis ! thy Deaths Image every year
Annua plangoris peraget fimularaina noftri. Shall in our folemniz^d complaints appear.
And may be in imitation of that annual cuffcome which was obferved by the Egypti
ans, howling in like manner for their lofb Ofyris, as the idolatrous Jews did for Tarn-
whz . mentioned by the Prophet Ezekiel chap. 8. & 14. and fir ft celebrated by the
Phoenicians.
The Nowronz. is in imitation of our New-years-day •, but they begin (after the old man
ner) in March, fuch time as the Sun in his equal fliine to either Pole makes the /Equinodi-
um. A Feftival of jovialty this is for one prayer, preying upon variety of pleafures
the Talifmanni pipe now to Bacchus, Ceres, and Venm. 1 have obferved, that in many
parts for eleven months in the year we could fee very few Women of any extraordinary-
quality, 'and thole we faw wdre veiled being offenfive in the ftreets, or gardens to con-
verfe with any; yet thefe twelve dayes of the Nomouz, they have liberty ^ fo as all places
were full of them, yea, their naked faces difcovered ; frisking in amorous poftures, and
drawing the eye by a forced magic. Gifts alfo and reciprocal prefents are retorted up
and down from one to another, with Garments of filk and gold, hodes> fruits, and
pilcaihes of other Ibrts: nothing but riding the horfe, drinking, cock-fighting, fortune-
telling, finging, fwinging in the air, courting, and the like being obferved to the lalt
minute of that Feftival.
The Imamy has fome dependance on the JBuckaree : This takes its rife from a Camel,
that from a Ram ^ that for JfmaeJ, this for Mahomet. In November, the Meccan Proto-
mift fends a Camel by an adopted Son (fometime natural) who is welcomed to Spahawn
by many thoufand Muifulmen, who fhew the extreme of joy for fo holy a Prelent. After
they have tried and tired their voices, the Hodgee from an exalted place acquaints them
with the caufe of his long journey, perfwades them to a thankful remembrance, and bleffes
them. The multitude, without any reiped of men or danger, throng about the Beaft ^
who is no fooner in the field where Death arrefts him, but that they fall upon him, and
pluck off his fliort hairs with an admirable dexterity, keeping them as fandimonious re-
liques, prevalent againft fudden death, (though many dye in the affault, and thoufands
return maimed) hunger, thirft, poverty, and what not ? After which, the tormented
Camel is by the Hodgee again figned for facrifice. The Darraguod firft transfixes his
Javelin. The Vifier beheads him, and gives it the King. The carcafs then is torn piece
meal by the fool-hardy multitude 5 fo greedy to obtain this charm of long lUg and plen
ty, that immortality and the place where meat and drink is needlefs, oft in the eflay en
tertains them.
The Caddyer Ally is a Feaft in memory of Ally's vidory over, the three old Caitiffs of
Mjeccha, by Death (not. Ally) conquered: After fome threnodies many prayers are mut
tered, fongs chanted, and Alms bellowed : the King is at moft charge in thisfolemnity,
thegreateft honour refleding on him, in regard of his anceftry.
The Amptpatfion ( or Ovodt-haptfton ) is in memory of Mahomeis baptifm by Sergim,
Many of the ordinary fort of Mahometans alfemble, and (after the Darraguod has put
a period to his Oration) promifcuouily befprinkle with water one anothers faces, then
foil their ilefh with dirt and filth, and the great ones many times to pleafe the King ad
the like among them*, laftly, they cleanfe themfelves with water, fuppoiing all deformi
ty waftied off, and their bodies cleanlier ever after.
The Sophian is a Solemnity of fafting, feafting, and praying for the profperity of •
their King, and continuation of the Sophian pedigree.
The Feait of Rofes and Daffad'illies is begun by a Proceifion of Santoons at the firft bud
ding of thofe Flowers, and for thirty dayes celebrated witlt all mauner of fports and re
creations
7,16