A HOLY CITY IN TUNIS.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 3 August 1881, Page 2

A HOLY CITY IN TUNIS.

» Tbe Regency of Tunis contains one of tbe holy cities of Islam, the celebrated Kairwan or Keervvan, which very few Europeans have visited, and which is as much Venerated by the African Arabs as in Morocco, or Cairo io Egypt. Pilgrimages to Kaiwan take place every year as to Merca or Mediae. Kairwan contains now 12, 000 inhabitants. It is situated 140 kilometres to the south of Tunis, at the r oot of mountains forming the last range of the Atl&a, near tbe Kerwan Lakgj_^ Its foundation dates from the time of the invasions of the Arabs in the north of Africa, and it has been for two centuries tbe capital of one of tbe most important proyinces of tbe empire of tbe Calips. Kairwan is a fortified town, surrounded by a loophold wall. It contains 55 zaouag or Marabout chapels, and 26 mosques. Amongst the ziouas the most remarkable is that of Sidi-Sahab, which is said to contain the body of Mahomet's barber. Tbe Kairwan mosque is held in great repute amongst the Ma* bometans, Dedicated to Side-Okbah, tbe founder of the town, it is known by the name of Dj una-el-Kebir, tbe mioaret great mosque. Accordiog to tradition, the stones employed in its construction came by themselves into position, according to the orders of an invisible architect. This fine mosque is adorned with 500 columns, made of granite, green, red, or yellow marbles. In Bpite of its great reputation for sanctity, Kairwan, tbe former capital of the Agalabits, is renowed for its " qhazies almecs " dancing and sioging girl.*, who are held in the same repute aa those of Egypt and India. K airway is the principal mart in the interior of Regency ; it contains manufactures of yellow morocco leather, burnous, woollen caps, and gundower, and is one of the most important markets for the exportation of dates.