216 HEJAZ. 



changed by coming in contact with the impurities of 

 the human race. 



The four sides of the Kaaba are covered with a 

 black silk stuff called the kesoua, and the fob or 

 shirt, which is brought from Cairo, and put on 

 every year at the time of the pilgrimage. The roof 

 is left bare, and during the first days the new kesoua 

 is tucked up by means of cords, so as to leave the 

 lower part of the building exposed ; but in course 

 of a short time it is let down so as to cover the 

 whole structure, and is then fastened to strong brass 

 rings below. On this curtain various prayers and 

 passages of the Koran are interwoven ; and a little 

 above the middle is a line or band of similar in- 

 scriptions (called El Hazem, or the belt) worked 

 in gold thread, and running round the entire edifice. 

 An opening is made for the black stone ; but the 

 part of the kesoua which covers the door is richly 

 embroidered with silver. 



In the first centuries of Islam the tob was never 

 taken away, the new one being always put over 

 the old ; but this custom was at length abolished, 

 the Mecca wees fearing that the Kaaba might sink 

 under such an accumulation of clothing. The re- 

 moval of the old kesoua was performed in a very in- 

 decorous manner ; a contest always ensued among 

 the pilgrims and the people for the shreds or rags. 

 Even the dust that adhered to the wall under it was 

 collected and sold as sacred relics. The curtain and 

 belt belong to the sheriff, who cuts them up and dis- 

 poses of them at five francs a-cubit. Pitts says that a 

 piece the size of a sheet of paper cost nine or ten shil- 

 lings : it is esteemed an excellent amulet, and many 

 have it laid on their breast when dying. 



