Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 1) (London, 1832)

CONCLUSION OF THE FAST. 191

Towards the last week of Rumzaun the hag-
gard countenances, and less cheerful manners
of the fasting multitude seem to increase, but
they seldom relax unless their health is likely
to be much endangered by its continuance.

The conclusion of the month Rumzaun, is cele-
brated as an Eade (festival), and, if not more splen-
did than any other in the Mussulmaun calendar,
it is one of the greatest heart-rejoicing days. It is
a sort of thanksgiving day amongst the devout
people, who have been permitted to accomplish
the task ; and with the vulgar and ignorant,
it is hailed with delight as the season of merri-
ment and good living—a sort of reward for their
month's severe abstinence.

The namaaz of the morning, and the prayer
for Eade, commence with the dawn; after
which the early meal of Eade is looked forward
to with some anxiety. In every house the same
dainties are provided with great exactness (for
they adhere to custom as to a law), plain boiled
rice, with dhie (sour curd) and sugar, forms the
first morning repast of this Eade; dried dates are
eaten with it, (in remembrance of the Prophet's