THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE 213 



ered; but this indulgence must be purcnased by 

 giving alms to the poor. Umbrellas are not forbid- 

 den, and are used by most of the visiters from colder 

 climates ; but the natives of the south either brave 

 the sun's rays, or screen themselves by means of a 

 rag tied to a stick. Though many have died in con- 

 sequence of this exposure, nobody utters a com- 

 plaint. There are no restrictions now as to parti- 

 cular diet ; but the mohrem, as the vested pilgrim is 

 called, is enjoined to behave decently, not to curse 

 or quarrel, nor to kill any animal, not even the ver- 

 min that may infest his own person ; although, ac- 

 cording to Pitts, " if they cannot well be endured 

 any longer, it is lawful to remove them from one 

 part of the body to another." The laxity of modern 

 times occasionally dispenses altogether with the 

 ceremony of the maharmo, especially among the 

 servants and camel-drivers. 



All the caravans, as they arrive, pass through the 

 town in procession, accompanied by their guards of 

 soldiers, with martial music. The equipage of the 

 emirs is very splendid. They are mounted in pa- 

 lanquins or taktrouans, — a kind of close litter or 

 cage, carried by two camels, one before and the 

 other behind. The heads of the camels are deco- 

 rated with feathers, tassels, and bells ; the streets 

 are lined with people, who as they move along greet 

 them with loud acclamations. 



On entering Mecca, the first duty of the pilgrim is 

 to visit the mosque immediately ; and this injunc- 

 tion applies to all strangers whatever. The pre- 

 scribed ceremonies are, first to repeat certain prayers 

 in different parts of the Temple ; namely, at the 

 entrance under the colonnade, two rikats and four 

 prostrations are addressed to the Deity in thankful- 

 ness for having reached the holy spot, and in saluta- 

 tion of the mosque itself: then, advancing into the 

 court, certain ejaculations are uttered while passing 

 under the insulated arch in front of the Kaaba, and 



