Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker.

Date:
1885-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Egypt : handbook for travellers / edited by K. Baedeker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    an opportunity at Keneh, Luksor, and Esneh of seeing very curious and elaborate, though to his taste often ungraceful performances. Most of the dancers congregate at the fair of Tanta (p. 226), hut the most skilful decline to exhibit unless paid with gold. The Hawal, or men in female attire, who frequently dance at festivities instead of the Ghawazi, present a most repulsive appearance. The Snake Charmers (Rifa'iyeh, sing. Rifa'i), who form an- other distinct caste, exhibit performances of a very marvellous character, as credible European residents in Cairo have testified; but the traveller will rarely come in contact with them. The ordinary exhibition of dancing snakes may, however, occasionally be seen in the Ezbekiyeh. The boys who exhibit small snakes at the hotels must of course not be confounded with the Rifaiiyeh. The Jugglers (Hawi) of Egypt are similar to those of other countries. The performances of the Buffoons (Kurudati or Mohab- bazi), which are chiefly intended for the amusement of the young, are disgracefully indelicate. (13). Baths. The baths of Egypt, with their hot-air chambers, are those com- monly known as Turkish, but they are neither so clean nor so well fitted up as some of those in the larger cities of Europe. The Harcira (see Plan), as well as the Maghtas and Hanaftyeh, have flat ceilings in which are openings covered with stained glass. The maghtas and the llanafiyeh each contain marble basins for washing, provided with taps for warm water; the maghtas contain besides a bath sunk in the pavement. Cold water is brought in ewers. The hartira, or general bath-chamber, is less heated than the separate rooms, and is filled with steam. All the chambers are paved with marble slabs and heated by flues under the pavement and behind the walls. When a cloth is hung up at the entrance to the baths, it indi- cates that women only are admitted. The baths are always cleanest in the early morning. Fridays are to be avoided, as numerous Muslims bathe early on that day, which is their Sabbath. The visitor first enters a large vaulted chamber covered with a cupola (hosh el-hammam), having a fountain of cold water in the centre (faskiyeh), and the bathing towels hung around on strings, these last being swung into their places or taken down with bamboo rods according to requirement. Having taken off his shoes and given them to the attendant, the visitor is next conducted to one of the raised divans which are still unoccupied, where he proceeds to undress. Valuables may, if desired, be entrusted to the bath owner. Wrapping a cloth round his loins, he leaves Iris divan, is provided with pattens or wooden shoes (kabhdb), and is conducted to the hot room (hardra) in the interior of the establishment. Near