Page 184 - Neglected Arabia Vol 2

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NEGLECTED ARABIA
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ihc pool. Save for a few olive-oil lamps the place was dark, and we fol­
lowed the winding path of our attendant, who-also carried a torch, until
we reached the inner shrine containing the tomb of Sheikh ’Adi. The
only rays of light that normally enter this chamber come through small
holes in* \he root, and it is difficult to distinguish anything clearly. How­
ever, several boxes covered with cloth, were visible, containing, it is sup­
posed, the secret books and their objects; the most important of all being
the bronze image of the peacock (Melek Taus) which they use in the i
worship of Satan and also in collecting taxes from the villages.^ But this
is carefully hidden from the sight of unbelievers. The word Shaitan is j r
so sacred that the Yezidis are forbidden to use it. Likewise they avoid I
using any word containing the sh-sound. Their reference to Satan is
always Melek Taus. On our way out we again carefully avoided stepping i .
upon the Huerod atune hut were asked to drup u coin u|>un It us we left. II
Now the pulrlarch of the court with his lung Kurdish pipe hud taken his
uccustomed place and wc were bidden to be scaled tin mats spread out Oil '1
the stone floor. Refreshments were called for, and after a snort visit we ;! i
exchanged the proper salutations and departed. Our guide, who was him­ ir
self a Christian, whispered that this was once a Christian church, and *. • ;
possibly he is right. k
In the outer court festivities never ceased, but we, being quite tired, .i 5
were now allowed to enter a low basement where cots were provided for : •
our rest while the main meal of the day was being prepared. Our imagi­ l
nations wandered to the food'that was being prepared, as the Yezidi has \\ '
many strange observances, such as abstinence from eating lettuce, cabbage,
beans, pumpkins, and fish. (The latter out of deference to the prophet .{
Jonah.) But when the time came we found an elaborate dinner prepared
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for our consumption. Large dishes of boiled rice trimmed with goat’s
meat seemed to predominate, while large bowls of stew of all descriptions I
intermingled. When we had done justice to the repast the drivers and !l
servants were given a chance.
By this time the hour was growing late so we took our last drink at the i:
spring and began to retrace our steps. On our way down the valley we •!
met many pilgrims coming up to do homage to their god and to bring
their offering to Sa’id Beg according as they had prospered. Food for ;
the stay was brought with them and the writer remembers one small donkey r
carrying a woman,-two children and a goat. Not only do" these people •i
observe their own fasts and feasts, but seem also to observe most of the
Jewish, Mohammedan and Christian feasts. i \
The followers of Shaitan believe that the devil is destined to reign i i
100,000 years, of which 4,000 are still to come. At the end of this jieriud !i l
he will be rcinslaied In heaven, where he will Issue rewards to all those i
who have been faithful. Christ will then rule for a 10,000-year period, i
after which a new creation will be made and things started all over again. £
Such are the curious beliefs of these simple folk, and though they have :
been persecuted and massacred without mercy for the sake of their faith,
they have never abandoned it.
Nevertheless it is possible that within a few decades the Yezidis will be 1
people of history. The sword could not wipe out their faith, but that ■ i:;
“which is mightier than the sword” is already making inroads upon them. ? 1*
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