210 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



was composed of 120,000 camels. On a similar 

 occasion the equipage of the Sultan of Egypt con- 

 sisted of 500 of these animals for the transport solely 

 of sweetmeats and confectionary ; 280 for pomegra- 

 nates, almonds, and other fruits ; besides having his 

 travelling-larder provided with 1000 geese and 3000 

 fowls. 



In 1814, the Syrian caravan, which was reckoned 

 small, amounted only to 4000 or 5000 persons, and 

 was attended by 15,000 camels. The Barbary ca- 

 ravan sometimes contained 40,000 men ; but it has 

 not of late exceeded 6000 or 8000. That from Egypt 

 used to be extremely numerous : Barthema states 

 that when he was at Mecca it had 64,000 camels. In 

 1814, it consisted principally of Mohammed All's 

 troops, with very few pilgrims ; but in 1816, a single 

 grandee of Cairo joined the haj with 110 camels for 

 the transport of his baggage and retinue ; and his 

 travelling expenses alone, Burckhardt supposes, 

 could not have been less than 10,000/. The wife of 

 Ali had a truly royal equipage, comprehending 500 

 beasts of burden. The tents of the pubUc women 

 and dancing-girls were among the most splendid in 

 this caravan. Females are not excluded from per- 

 forming the pilgrimage ; but the law prescribes that 

 they shall be married women, and accompanied by 

 their husbands or some very near relation. Rich 

 old widows, and such as lose their husbands by the 

 way, are provided with delils or guides, who facili- 

 tate their progress through the sacred territory, and 

 act also in a matrimonial capacity ; but these unions 

 are only temporary, and at the conclusion of their 

 devotions the man must divorce his companion, 

 otherwise the marriage would be considered binding. 



There is one distinction formerly common to all 

 large caravans, but now used only by the Syrian and 

 Egyptian ; each of these has its holy camel, carry- 

 ing on its back the mahmal with presents for the 

 Kaaba, and which also serves the purpose of a sign 



