3-009-014 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A night scene on the Nile near the mouth of the Cairo canal, during the festival of Gebr-el-Haleeg, or breaking the canal, 1862. View of '...the "Yom Wefa el Nil" (or "day of the completion or abundance of the river")...[an] ancient and singular festival...[which] is simply the breaking or cutting of a dam that is constructed at the mouth of the Cairo Canal after the Nile has commenced rising, which generally happens about the period of the summer solstice...The amusements are continued throughout the night...Those who can afford it prefer passing the evening on board a "dahabieh," or pleasure-boat...Shortly after sunset the fireworks commence, and continue at intervals throughout the night. On this occasion the display was more than ordinarily magnificent...A battery of fieldpieces in position upon the plain, in the immediate vicinity of the canal, varied the entertainments by occasional salvos, the natives having the keenest relish for this description of music...The noise and confusion are astounding. Steamers and sailing-vessels are crowded together promiscuously; all are decorated with variegated lamps...The large tower to the right is the "Sakior," used for the purpose of raising water for the supply of Cairo'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.