1882.] XBNBATUTA IN THE MALDIVES AND CEYLON. 



17 



for prayer. The path which the minister had to traverse, be- 

 tween his residence and the place of prayer, had been decorated: 

 stuffs had been spread, and there had been placed to right and 

 left heaps {literally cotta's, v. s. x p-» 11) of cowries. All the Emirs 

 and grandees who had houses on the road had planted near them 

 little coco-trees, arecas, and bananas. Ropes were hung from 

 one tree to the next, and green nuts were suspended from the 

 ropes. The master of the house remained near the gate, and 

 when the Vizier passed, he threw before his feet a piece of silk 

 or cotton. The slaves of the minister appropriated these, as well 

 as the cowries placed by the way. The Vizier advanced on foot, 

 covered with an ample robe of goat's hair of Egyptian manufac- 

 ture, and with a large turban. As a scarf he wore a kerchief of 

 silk \ four umbrellas shaded his head, and sandals covered his feet. 

 All his attendants without exception had their feet bare. 

 Trumpets, clarions, and drums* preceded him : the soldiers march- 

 ed before and behind him, all shouting the cry u God is very 

 great V until they were arrived at the place of prayer. 



Prayer ended, the son of the Vizier preached: then was 

 brought a litter which the Vizier mounted. The Emirs and the 

 other grandees again saluted him, casting down pieces of stuffs 

 according to custom. Before this time the Grand Vizier used not 

 to ride in a litter, for the Kings alone did so. The bearers then 

 lifted it ; I mounted my horse, and we entered the palace. The 

 minister seated himself at a raised dais, having near him the 

 Viziers and the Emirs. The slaves remained standing, bearing 

 shields, swords, and staves. f Food was then served, and after- 

 wards arecanuts and betel, after which was brought a little dish 

 containing sandal mokassiry.% As soon as one party of the guests 



* M. tdlajili ; dummdrhi; beru.~—B. 



-j- M addana ; ka#i ; da<ji. — B. 



% Mokasslry : — ? M. kasturi 1 mush 1 — B. 



