[78]. Literally, “the son of his paternal uncle.”
[79]. In Cairo, it is the fashion to change the first five female names here mentioned, and the last, into Khaddoogeh, ’Eiyoosheh, Ammooneh, Fattoomeh, Zennoobeh, and Neffooseh; and some other names are changed to the same “measure” as these; which measure implies, in these cases, a superior degree of dignity.
[80]. On an improper use of this kind of surname, see a note towards the close of Chapter IV.
[81]. It is customary among the peasants throughout a great part of Egypt, on the first occasion of shaving a child’s head, to slay a victim, generally a goat, at the tomb of some saint in or near their village, and to make a feast with the meat, of which their friends, and any other persons who please, partake. This is most common in Upper Egypt, and among the tribes not very long established on the banks of the Nile. Their Pagan ancestors in Arabia observed this custom, and usually gave, as alms to the poor, the weight of the hair in silver or gold. The victim is called “’akeekah,” and is offered as a ransom for the child from hell. The custom of shaving one part of a child’s head and leaving another was forbidden by the Prophet.
[82]. See Isaiah xlix. 22.
[83]. It is mentioned by Diodorus Siculus (lib. i., cap. 20), that the ancient Egyptians clothed and reared their children at a very trifling expense.
[84]. “The structure of Eastern government is but the enlargement of the paternal roof.” (Urquhart’s Spirit of the East, vol ii., p. 249.)
[85]. Among the peasants, not unfrequently at the age of twelve, thirteen, or fourteen years.
[86]. For a description of the ornaments here mentioned see the Appendix: the kurs and safa are also represented in a preceding engraving, page 36.
[87]. A custom mentioned by Strabo (p. 824), as prevailing among the Egyptians in his time, is still universally practised in every part of Egypt, both by the Muslims and Copts, excepting in Alexandria and perhaps a few other places on the shore of the Mediterranean: it is also common, if not equally prevalent, in Arabia. Reland, who imperfectly describes this custom (De Religione Mohammedica, p. 75, edit. 1717), remarks its being mentioned likewise by Galen.