'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎278] (387/496)

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intestine discord. Yery little is known of the peculiar and mysterious
tenets of their faith, which appears to embody the various doctrines of
Judaism, of Christ, and of the Shiah Mahomedans, from the time of
Moses to that of the Ali. They are termed Ali Ilahis, and are supposed
by Major Rawlinson to be of Jewish origin. It is said their religion
enjoins that, at certain periods, they shall congregate at night in a parti
cular spot. At these times the greatest license is said to prevail, and the
promiscuous intercourse of the sexes to form part of the ceremonies
prescribed by their singular creed. In this respect they resemble in
their faith the Ancyrians of Syria, if the conjectural stories related of
them have any foundation on truth. It is certain, however, that a more
than masonic secresy is maintained among them in regard to the mysti
cal rites and ceremonies connected with their religion, and that they are,
moreover, exceedingly jealous of inquisitive inquiries on the subject.*
Both the Ali Ilahi of the Zagros and the Ancyrians, inhabiting the lofty
range of the same name to north of the Lebanon, in Syria, may, indeed,
be remnants of the early Babylonians, whom we know on their religious
festivals indulged in every species of libertinism and licentiousness;! and
these, on the irruption of the Medes and Persians, and the spread of the
Magian theory over the land, for the purpose of enjoying in peace the
worship of their fathers, may have retired to the almost inaccessible but
* I remember, when travelling in Syria with the late Dr Floyd, in 1840, that
an Ancyrian guide had been furnished to conduct me from Antioch to Suadujeh.
Having heard much of these singular people, and being anxious to verify some ot
the stories related of them, when arrived at a secluded spot amid the beautiful
scenery bordering on the Oroutes, I ventured to enquire, by a general question,
the nature of the faith existing in the mountain. I had been conversing with him
before on other topics connected with the Government and the road, to which he
responded readily, but I had no sooner changed the subject to what affected him
personally, than I found myself alone, the guide having sprung into a neighbour
ing copse, and was instantly lost to view. I afterwards regretted the curiosity
that had prompted me, for I lost my way, and had to remain all night exposed to a
violent thunder-storm.
f Herodotus, Book L, Chap. 199, and many other authors, describe the curious
customs of the Babylonians on their religious festivals. At these times
was collected and annlied to sae.rprl cnmo nrcn'es mav be observe
was collected and applied to sacred purposes. The same orgies may .
at the present day in many of the Hindu temples, not only during the great festiva
but at other times, when a profit is derived from the intercourse of pilgrims an^
visitors with the professional actresses attendant at the various shrines, who ai
selected for their beauty, and devoted to this service from an early age.
Even the more civilized Greeks, during the Greco-Macedonian occupation^
this country, on the great festivals dedicated to Bacchus and Serapis, aban
themselves on this soil to every species oflicense and extravagance ; and, in ce c
ing the rites of the Dioscuri, they probably excelled their Babylonian aic ie yi
in the extent to which their debaucheries were carried.