212 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



v/hatever quarter the hajjis arrive, they are instantly- 

 required to strip themselves naked, throw away 

 their garments, and put on the ihram or pilgrim's 

 cloak, which consists of two pieces of linen, woollen, 

 or cotton cloth ; one of which is wrapped round the 

 loins, and the other thrown over the neck and shoul- 

 ders, so as to leave part of the right arm uncovered. 

 The law ordains that there shall be no seam in it, 

 no silk, nor ornament of any kind. White Indian 

 cambric, that being considered the preferable colour, 

 is generally employed for the purpose ; "but rich 

 hajjis use Cashmere shawls without flowered bor- 

 ders. In assuming it, certain ceremonies are ob- 

 served ; such as making a general ablution, saying 

 a prayer w^hile naked, taking a few steps in the 

 direction of Mecca, and uttering pious invocations, 

 called telhi. 



The ihram, whether taken in summer or in winter, 

 is equally inconvenient and prejudicial to health. 

 The head remains totally unprotected, and exposed 

 to the sun's rays : the instep of the foot must like* 

 wise be uncovered ; so that those who wear shoes 

 instead of sandals cut a piece out of the upper lea- 

 ther. The northern Moslem, accustomed to thick 

 woollen clothes, find it a severe experiment on their 

 religious zeal to remain sometimes for months, night 

 and day, with no other vestment than this thin garb. 

 The ihram of the women consists of a cloak, so 

 close that not even their eyes can be seen. Old age 

 and disease are excuses for keeping the head cov- 



ties, both with infantry and cavalry, fought within the enclo- 

 sure of the Temple. The limits of this sacred territory are dif- 

 ferently represented. At present it is generally supposed to be 

 bounded within those positions where the ihram is assumed in 

 approaching Mecca, viz. Hadda, on the west ; Asfan, on the north ; 

 Wadrj Mohrem, on the east ; and Zat Ork, on the south. Ali 

 Bey mistokes when he considered this district a particular prov- 

 ince. Medina has the same privileges, but they are held m as 

 little veneration. 



