File:Trans-Himalaya; discoveries and adventures in Tibet (1909) (14782833805).jpg

Identifier: transhimalayadis02hedi (find matches)
Title: Trans-Himalaya; discoveries and adventures in Tibet
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Hedin, Sven Anders, 1865-1952
Subjects: Tibet (China) -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : Macmillan and co., ltd.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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ad lookedforward to the paradise of the Mohammedans. SomeTibetans stood at a distance. Slowly, solemnly, andmournfully the procession set itself in motion (Illust.218). No ringing of bells, no strewn fir-branches, nochants spoke of an awakening beyond the valley of theshadow of death. But above us the turquoise-blue skystretched its vault, and around us the lofty, desolatemountains held watch. In deep mournful voice thebearers sang, La illaha il Allah, in time with theirheavy steps. They staggered under their burden, andhad to change it frequently to the other shoulder, forMuhamed Isa was big, corpulent, and heavy. At length we ascended a gravel terrace between twosource streams. The bier was placed at the edge of thegrave, which was not quite ready (Illusts. 219, 220, 221).It was deep, lay north and south, and had a cutting orniche on the left side, under which the body was to belaid, so that the earth might not press on it when thegrave was filled in. Four men stood in the grave and
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2l8. MUHAMEU Isas FUNERAL PROCESSION. xxx.x MUHAMED ISAS DEATH 57 received the body, and placed it, wrapped only in thewhite shroud, under the arch, arranging it so that theface was turned towards Mecca, where the hopes of alltrue believing pilgrims are centred. Scarcely was all set in order when a painful incidentoccurred, an evil omen : the overhanging vault of loose,dry gravel fell in, burying the corpse completely, andpartly covering the four men. There was silence, andthe men looked at one another irresolute. Shukkur Alibroke the oppressive silence, jumped into the grave, outof which the others clambered, dug out the body again,and removed the gravel from the shroud as well as hecould. A wall was then erected of sods cut from the bankof the brook so as to protect the body, the outer space wasfilled in with sand and stones, and finally a mound a yardhigh was thrown up over the grave, two stone slabs beingplaced at the head and foot. When all was done the Lamaists went home, but th

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