which was heaped vp in honour of their Gods, and that twice euery yeare, in the
Spring, and in Autumne: the Arabians had learned the same of the Indians, and
practised the same at Mecca, in honour of Venus (casting stones backe betweene
their legges, the parts of Venus) in the time of Mahomet. Neither did Mahomet a∣brogate
this, as he did other idolatrous Rites; onely for modesties sake they were en∣ioyned
to gird a piece of Linnen about their Reines.
Mecca, or (as they call it) Macca, signifying an Habitation, containeth in it about
sixe thousand houses, fairely built, like those of Italie: Other walls it hath not, then
such as Nature hath enuironed it with, namely, with high and barren Mountaines
round about. Some
report, That betweene the Mountaines and the Citie are plea∣sant
Gardens, abundant of Figges, Grapes, Apples, Melons, and that there is store also
of Flesh and Water. But it seemeth, that this is of later industrie, not of Natures in∣dulgence,
if it be true. For Lod. Barthema
, or Vertoman, being there in the yeare
1503, sayth, That the place was accursed of GOD, as not bringing forth Hearbes,
Trees, Fruits, or any thing, and besides, hauing great scarcitie of water, and is serued
with these things from other places. It is gouerned by a King (tributarie, then to
the Soldan, now to the Turke) called the Seriffo, lineally descended from their great
Seducer, by his daughter Fatma (the onely issue of this libidinous poligamous Pro∣phet)
married to Hali. All of this kindred are called Emyri, that is, Lords, clothed
with (or at least wearing Turbants of) greene, which colour the Mahumetans will not
suffer other men to weare.
The number of Pilgrimes which resort hither, is incredible. From Cairo commeth
a Carovan of deuotion, some to Mammon, some to Mahomet, either for trade of
Merchandise, or for Superstition, and another yearely from Damascus: besides those
which come from the Indies, Aethiopia, Arabia, Persia, &c. Lud. Barthema sayth,
That (at his being at Mecca) of the Carovan of Damasco, wherein he went, were fiue
and thirtie thousand Camels, and about fortie thousand persons: of that of Cairo were
threescore and foure thousand Camels, and now in these times about fortie thousand
Camels, Mules, and Dromedaries, and fiftie thousand persons, besides the Arabian Ca∣rovan,
and of other Nations.
This Mart of Mecca is much impaired, since the Portugales haue intercepted the
Indian commodities, which by a Carovan, from thence, were wont to be brought
hithen.
Let me desire the Reader to haue patience, and goe along, on this Pilgrimage,
with one of these Carovans, through these Arabian Deserts to Mecca and Medina:
and because that of Gairo is the chiefe, we will bestow our selues in it, and obserue
what Rites they obserue before they set forth; what by the way, and at the intended
places of their deuotion.
Touching the necessitie whereof; they thinke, That they
which goe not once in their liues, shall, after death, goe to the Deuill. Yea, some, for
deuotion, plucke out their eyes after so holy a sight.
The moneth Ramazan (as you haue heard) is their Lent; falling sometime high,
sometime low, being that whole moneth, during which time the Pilgrims and Mer∣chants
resort to Cairo from Asia, Greece, Barbarie, &c. After their
Lent ended,
they obserue their Easter, or Feast, called Bairam, three dayes. Twentie dayes after
this Feast, the Carovan is readie to depart. Against this time, they assemble them∣selues
at a place, two leagues from Cairo (called Birca) attending the comming of the
Captaine. This Captaine of the Carovan, whome they call Amarilla Haggi, is re∣newed
euery third yeare; and to him the Grand Signior, euery voyage, giueth eigh∣teene
Purses (each containing sixe hundred twentie fiue duckats of Gold) for the be∣hoofe
of the Carovan, and also to doe almes vnto needfull Pilgrims. He hath foure
Chausi to serue him, and foure hundred souldiors, two hundred Spachi, mounted on
Dromedaries, and as many Ianizaries, riding on Camels. The Chausi and Spachi
the Captaine maintaineth at his owne charges: The Ianizaries haue their prouision
from Cairo, He hath eight Pilots for guides; which Office is hereditarie.