The present state of the Ottoman Empire containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline ... : illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks, in three books / by Paul Rycaut Esq. ...

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Title
The present state of the Ottoman Empire containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline ... : illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks, in three books / by Paul Rycaut Esq. ...
Author
Rycaut, Paul, Sir, 1628-1700.
Publication
London :: Printed for John Starkey and Henry Brome ...,
1668.
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Subject terms
Civilization, Islamic.
Islam -- Turkey.
Turkey -- History -- 1453-1683.
Turkey -- Social conditions -- Early works to 1800.
Turkey -- Defenses.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A58003.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The present state of the Ottoman Empire containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline ... : illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks, in three books / by Paul Rycaut Esq. ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A58003.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 22, 2025.

Pages

CHAP. XVII. Of the Order of Kalenderi.

[illustration]
a Santone or Holy man

THis Order may rather be termed the Sect of Epicureans, then men retired to mortifie their appetites, and deny the world, as all other of the religious and regulated Turks pretend; but yet this sort of Fana∣ticks pretend to Religion by a different way of Libertinism and loose∣ness in their conversation; which they act so publickly, that they are not ashamed to profess their institution and customs to be after this manner

Page 146

In the time that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Son of Melkaziz Ohoma the Son of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being ready to resign up his last breath, bequeathed to his Son Mahomet Melik Kiamel, the Government of Cairo, and all the other parts of the Kingdom of Egypt: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Jerusalem to his Son Isa 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Muazin and Diarbekir, to his third Son Eschrefmusa; There lived a certain Santone, who alwayes mentioned the name of God with the sound of his Pipe, and with that Musick recreated himself day and night, not after a chearful and merry humour, but with sad and melan∣choly Tunes, accompanied his Pipe with Tears and Sighs. He was an excellent Musician, and a deep Philosopher, endued with those su∣pernatural vertues as enabled him to work Miracles clear, and notorious to all the world; he was a Hermite, called in Arabick Abdal; went with his head bare, and his body full of wounds, without Shirt or other Clothing, besides a Skin of some wild Beast thrown about his Shoulders, at his Girdle he wore some finely polished stone; his wrists, instead of Diamonds or Stones of value, he wore counterfeit Jewels, which carryed a lustre and fair appearance with them; this man was called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who was continually singing Arabick Sonnets, and according to them Musical Airs, making also harmonious compositions so artificially, that he seemed another David. But how strict and sober soever this Santone was, his Disciples or Proselytes are of another temper, being wholy given up to Jollity and delights, they banish all kind of melancholy and sadness, and live free of cares, pas∣sions or torments of the mind, and have this saying amongst them, This day is ours, to morrow is his, who shall live to enjoy it; and therefore studiously attend to lose no moment or least part of their pleasure, but consume their time in eating and drinking; and to main∣tain this gluttony they will sell the Stones of their Girdles, their Ear∣rings and Bracelets. When they come to the house of any rich man or person of Quality, they accomodate themselves to their humour, gi∣ving all the Family pleasant words and chearful expressions to perswade them to a liberal and free entertainment. The Tavern by them is ac∣counted holy as the Mosch, and believe they serve God as much with debauchery or liberal use of his creatures (as they call it) as others with severity and mortification. And the Turks say, That in the Hegira 615, the Christians become Masters of Jerusalem, by reason that the Institutor of this Order of the Kalenderi, who had a chief hand in the Government of the City, was found drunk when it was assaulted.

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