3-021-340 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene at the Mohammedan festival of the Bairam, at Alexandria, [Egypt], 1869. '...general rejoicing...following the long fast of the Ramadan,...in Arabic it is called the Eed-e'-Sogheir...Near to Pompey's Pillar there were great goings on...The principal attractions seemed to be swings and merry-go-rounds. I saw one man on stilts; and his costume, from the coat, hat, and fair beard of tow stuck on a false face, must have been intended to represent an Englishman; he swagged about with a big stick like the typical Irishman at Donnybrook Fair. The swings were very simple constructions - a piece of plain board suspended with ropes, and on this women, girls, and children sat while a couple of strong men propelled them high into the air. The delight of the younger ones was great, veils flew off and faces were seen, and the owners were helpless; but they did not seem to care much for the broad grins and loud laughs of the bystanders. Some of the older ladies got nervous, and could find no enjoyment from the anxious desire to hold on to the board, while legs came out in anything but graceful attitudes; but an Eastern lady thinks nothing of her legs being seen; it is the exposing of the face which is disgraceful".' From "Illustrated London News", 1869.