192 HEJAZ. 



red, consisting of the richest brocade. The Waha- 

 bees covered it with a red camlet stuff, of which the 

 fine Arabian abbas are made. The new kesoua is 

 put up fifteen days after the old one has been 

 removed, during which interval the Kaaba continues 

 without a cover. At the moment when the building 

 is clothed, crowds of women surround it, rejoicing 

 with shouts or cries, called ivalwalou. 



The ground for about forty feet round the Kaaba 

 is paved with fine marble, variously coloured, and 

 forming a very handsome specimen of Mosaic. This 

 space, on which the pilgrims perform the toicaf or 

 circuit, is of an elliptical figure, and surrounded with 

 a sort of railing or enclosure of thirty-two slender 

 gilt pillars, about seven feet and a half in height ; 

 between every two of which are suspended seven 

 lamps of thick green glass of a globular shape, which 

 are always lighted after sunset. 



Opposite the -four sides of the Kaaba, and in the 

 circular line of the pillars, stand four other small 

 buildings, called makams, where the imams of the 

 four orthodox sects, namely, the Hanifees, Shafees, 

 Hanbalees, and Malekees, take their station, and 

 guide the congregation in their prayers. The Ma- 

 kam Ibrahim, or Place of Abraham, faces the door 

 of the Kaaba, and is supported by six pillars. Near 

 this structure stands the mamhar, or pulpit of the 

 mosque, which is of fine white marble, with many 

 sculptured ornaments. A straight narrow staircase 

 leads up to the post of the khatib or preacher, who 

 officiates, wrapped up in a white cloak, which covers 

 his head and body ; two green flags are placed on 

 each side of him, and in his hand he holds a stick ; — 

 a practice also observed in Egypt and Syria in 

 memory of the first ages of Islam, when the preacher 

 found it necessary to be armed for fear of being 

 surprised. Here sermon is delivered every Friday, 

 and on certain festivals. It is near the mambar 

 that visiters on entering deposite their shoes ; none 



