Head of the Procession in the Festival of the Mah’mal
The coverings for the sanctuary at Mecca are sent every year from Cairo by the representative of the Sultan of Turkey. The Mah’mal having made the pilgrimage to Mecca often is not only a symbol of royalty, but is also regarded as a sacred relic. Even the sight of it in the esteem of devout Muslims brings a blessing. At the head of the procession we see soldiers who are followed by camels, highly decorated, and bearing on their humps palm-branches, with oranges attached. Each section of the procession is preceded by a band of music, the largest being that which accompanies the Mah’mal. The cavalcade moves very slowly. The people cheer the “Prince of the Pilgrimage” as he goes by between two camels, one in front of the other. He is to conduct the expedition when it finally starts from the Birket-el-Hagg to Mecca. The leader of the pilgrims follows the “Prince of the Pilgrimage.” He goes before in the desert to lead the way. An unusual commotion is created as the Mah’mal or litter goes by. It is seen far down the street on the back of a camel, swinging right and left, and up and down, as the ship of the desert makes its way through the sea of excited and tumultuous humanity on every side. Another festival such as we witness above is held when the hangings are taken from the Mosque of Huseyn for the journey to Mecca. Every devout Muslim feels it his duty to make once in his life the pilgrimage to Mecca. Most of the way is now made by water. On approaching Mecca the pilgrims undress, and put on aprons and a piece of the cloth over the left shoulder. They then perform the circuit of Ka’ba, hear the sermon on Mt. Arafat, pelt Satan with stones, and conclude with a great sacrificial feast.
Comments