1835.] Ongin and Cemdionies of the Mohnrnm. 323 



and is sdorDed with beads — he hns a piece of wood in 

 each of his hands which he strikes together when he 

 sings elegies in honor of the Imams. 



7th. ^ to Mr G^hu^'hree-Walla—Ca Hiadoostanee 

 word — a giogle-rcan^ he is generally a young man — he 

 has a fine head dress rnd a shirt, with a red cloth fas- 

 tened round his waist — 1 is dress is generally ornament- 

 ed with gold and sih er lace. He has a kind of «:ingle in 

 his hand. He is always one of a band of smart young 

 men. In honor of the heroes of the anniversary^ they ^o 

 about together, singing mournful songs, acconapani^d 

 with agreeable motions of their hands made to corres- 

 pond with the sound of the instrument, and of the voice. 

 These bands, generally speaking, occasion quarrels ; and 

 frequently have contests with other bands of the same or 

 other character. At Madras, there are two parties v^'ho 

 become G'hug'hree-Wallas and Eyrag-ees (Hindoo de- 

 votee s) during the anniversary.— One party are called 

 the followers of Rungeen (enthusiast?) and the other, 

 adherents of Be'budul, (^incomparable or iiiatchless) lam 

 not particular about the history of these individuals, nor 

 do I think their history is worthy of attention. One of 

 the h^ad of these parties is now dead and gone ; and the 

 Other is now at Saint Thome quite retired ; but their 

 follower's, as I understand, often occasion riots and tu- 

 mults during the Mohurruni anniversary. 



8th. .^y V->? -Byrag-ee — Flind^ostanee word, mean- 

 ing austere rsclase, a Hindoo devotee) he rubs ashss of 

 co .v-dimg oyer his ho ly. A kind of hempen covering 

 painted red is pi iced round his head. He alwa^^s goes 

 about with his party consisting, more or lesSj of 10 or 12 

 persons. They play on Indian musical instruments, and 

 sing eltigies and hymns in honor of the Imams — they ge- 

 nerally sing well, and play a number of the most select 

 pieces, in their best style— they attract the paxticuiar at- 



