244 THE MOHAMMEDAN PILGRIMAGE. 



the foot of a higher mountain, in a sandy plain about 

 three quarters of a league in diameter. On the eastern 

 side broad stone steps lead to the top, and these are 

 covered with innumerable handkerchiefs for receiv- 

 ing the pious gifts which are claimed by the families 

 of the Koreish, in whose territory this sacred emi- 

 nence stands. 



On the Day of Arafat, or Feast of Sacrifice as it 

 is called, and which can only be performed at a 

 certain time, the pilgrims take their journey, some 

 on camels, others on mules or asses ; but the greater 

 number walk barefooted, which is esteemed the 

 most pious mode of travelling. The crowd is so 

 vast, that several hours elapse before they can clear 

 the narrow outskirts of Mecca. Beyond the town 

 a few miles the road widens, in passing through 

 the valley of Muna, where the law enjoins certain 

 prayers and ceremonies (paring the nails, and cut- 

 ting the hair) to be observed. This march is ne- 

 cessarily attended with great confusion. " Of the 

 half-naked hajjis," says Burckhardt, " all dressed 

 in the white ihram, some sat reading the Koran 

 upon their camels ; some ejaculated loud prayers ; 

 whilst others cursed their drivers, and quarrelled 

 with those near them who choked up the passage." 



Leaving Muna the plain of Arafat opens through 

 a rocky defile in the mountains ; on reaching which 

 the caravans and numerous detachments of pil- 

 grims disperse in quest of their respective places of 

 encampment. It was about three hours after sun- 

 set when Burckhardt arrived ; but stragglers con- 

 tinued to pour in till midnight. Numberless fires 

 were now seen lighted up over an extent of ground 

 three or four miles in length; while high and brilliant 



