'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎392] (427/450)

392
[app. vi.
T5USS0RA.
The day before 1 left Bussora, on my return to Bagdad,
the Musselleem gave me an entertainment, consisting of
a public exhibition of dancing, feats of dexterity, &c.
It commenced with four men dressed up to represent
two camels, one man composing the croupe, and one the
fore part of each. These mock camels fought, lay down,
ate grass, &c., as real ones.
Next two parties of Negroes were introduced to entertain
us with their national music and dancing. One party was
composed of Bombazans. Their principal niusical instru
ments were a long wooden drum, one end of which was
shaped like a three-legged stool, and rested on the ground,
and a horn, which was blown at the side, like a German
flute.
The dancers separated into two parties; on one side the
women, on the other the men, who advanced and retreated,
then joined and separated, and went through several evolu
tions, singing and keeping very good time. The Nubian
party attracted my attention. One of them played on an
instrument exactly resembling the ancient lyre. Their
dance was military, and represented attacking and skirmish
ing. One man particularly distinguished himself. He wore
a kind of helmet of skulls and beads stuck with feathers,
and brandished a javelin with considerable dexterity.
After their exhibition was finished, the Musselieem
ordered his Turks to entertain us. Immediately about one
hundred and fifty Turkish soldiers stood up, and, joining
hands, began a slow kind of dance, which at first consisted
merely in keeping time with the feet, and making gentle in
clinations of the body, moving round the circle. They were
accompanied by the Musselleem's double-drums and oboes.