'Handbook of Arabia. Vol. I. 1917' [‎27] (36/748)

RELIGION 27
l ^ e , t paratively small proportion goes on later to Medina , either overland,
or by the ' half-sea 5 route from Jiddah to Yambo'. These usually
l * ki l return to Yambo'.
The passage of pilgrims is the occasion of much trade, and mer-
l chants swell the caravans. It also leads to trouble with the Bedouins,
1 eonta® anc [ thus to constant unrest; and it is a great cause of the spread of
to ) alt epidemic disease.
The Pilgrimage accounts in normal times for an annual influx
raiitkik of nearly half a million persons into Hejaz. All visit Mecca, but
W, let only about a third go to Medina also, the visit to the of the
' (, f Stji latter city not being strictly part of the Pilgrimage at all, and
flithei involving considerable extra expense as well as some risk owing to
ted, hi the insecurity of all lines of caravan communication with Mecca,
and an Not all, however, arrive at once for the season of the great Pilgrim-
penirpi: age (hajj). Besides the possibility of making a minor pilgrimage
mg tie 1 {'omrah) at any time of the year, many pilgrims are induced to arrive
m fe; at Mecca before the end of Ramadan, i. e. more than two months
ictingfoit before the great feast of the Moslem year (Yaum en-Nahr = Qurban
(fthecet Bairam), which marks the Hajj season ; for by remaining till
itsoieoli the feast and performing 'omrah, &c., they accomplish tamattu
in that a (=' possession'), and enhance their merit. But owing to the cost of
time to ft life at Mecca this act of supererogation is for either the very rich,
lial)ism,i or the very poor who live on charity during their stay.
The Hejazis have developed a regular organization for maintaining
[labia,si* and increasing the supply of pilgrims, as well as for exploiting them
riesoiflii on arrival. In the early months of the year their agents are busy
Djtic, in all parts of the Moslem world, preaching the necessity of pilgrim-
i{ the Hoi age, and offering (on commission) to arrange the journey, provide
. 0!1 pol for lodging in Hejaz, and see the pilgrims through the obligatory
he twop ceremonies. When the time comes, some of these agents personally
, ee jjjijk conduct parties or rich individuals to Hejaz, while at the ports
or places of arrival, ciceroni{mutavmifin) await unaccompanied
pilgrims, or siich parties as are too large for their conductors,
ejaz? These ciceroni are organized under sheikhs, represent different
ns sW® Islamic countries, and wear a special dress of bright colours and
o Me* a straw cap. Since they speak various languages, and many of
a or M® 8 them are travelled men, they offer, with the consular and customs
ia or*' agents, the main obstacle which non-Moslems in disguise, or foreign
'OughM* Moslems desirous to conceal their identity, have to face if they wish
jit has to perform the Hajj. They are all prepared to place the pilgrim,
according to his nationality, in lodgings belonging either to them-
•i j.gsi selves or others, Mecca, in particular, containing houses and apart-
P ® im ments much in excess of the needs of its permanent inhabitants.