DANCING DERVISHES OF ALGIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7170, 8 November 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

DANCING DERVISHES OF ALGIERS.

The following description of tbe rites of these dervishes by an eye-witness appears in the Boston Transcript:—"A tambourine, was passed about the audience, containing ten atones, varying in size from one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch in diameter, and a rusty nail. One of these stones was then paaßod to the old man, wtjo, holding it between his thumb and forefinger, placed it in his mouth and swallowed it. He then swallowed all the stones, finishing with the ruaty nail. The musio then, became more furiods and deafening, and the uproar was increased by shrill screams of encouragement from the women above, and shortly three other men rushed into the circle—two lightcomplexioned Arabs and a negro—dancing and screaming. Three red-hot shovels were handed them, which they struck as the firet performer had done, while one of the number took the red-hot shovel between his' teeth and held it there until there was a dietinct odour of burning flesh. They then took the red coals from the brazier, chewed and swallowed them, while the black froth ran from their mouths. Two large portions of prickly cactus, covered with long sharp needles, wore then handed to them. These' they seized,. furiously straggling for the largest portions, which they chewed and swallowed—meanwhile frothing and foaming at the mouth. Eight scorpions were then placed in a tambourine, and then passed about for the inspection of the audienceugly, crawling reptiles, resembling small crabs. These were then given to the. performers, who held them in their hands, not allowing them to fasten upon their fingers, however. Then at a given signal they ate the struggling reptiles, the disgusting, crunching sound being very distinct—fighting as before for the largest, flavouring the morsel with charcoal and prickly cactus, meanwhile screaming and dancing,.