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RELIGIO OBSERVANCES

where some holy man has rested; candles are lit and offerings made in their names. Though actual sacrificing of beasts does not take place in the way in which we associate it in the Old Testament, there are many who vow that if they are granted some favor they will kill a sheep in the name of the marabout invoked. When the sheep is killed it is cooked and eaten by the supplicant and by any poor friends who like to come in. Occasionally a bullock is slaughtered to bring rain. There are other beliefs which would be considered by Europeans to be mere superstitions, but they so form part of the religion that practically every one admits them, the power of spells, the evil eye, the charms against disease. A woman with a headache will wear a piece of paper with words written by a marabout upon it, and believe that it will remove the pain. In fact, into all the daily life religion is woven until it becomes part of the people's existence, and from the prayer said in public to the abstinence from wine one can not keep away from it. Its simplicity, its absence of all unnecessary intermediaries in communion with the Almighty, make it very easy to follow. Its laws which, with all their sternness, are yet adapted to the frailty of mankind, seem to give one an assurance of its sincerity. Its recognition of all the prophets we know of gives it a feeling of broad mindedness, and the picture of its future is easy to grasp. There is one God and He is alone. God is all powerful. "What He has destined will take place," and in their belief of the mektoub the secret of the Arabs' peace of mind is found. Nothing can alter fate. And if things go wrong it is no good saying, "If I had done this, or done that, I should have avoided this." No; "Allah willed it, and the puny human can do nothing against mektoub."

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