Page 339
An.1686
Circumcision. A Mock-fight.
They circumcise the Males at 11 or 12 years of Age, or older; and many are circumcised at once. This Ceremony is performed with a great deal of Solemnity. There had been no Circumcision for some years before our being here; and then there was one for Raja Laut's Son. They chuse to have a general Circumcision when the Sultan, or Ge- neral, or some other great a person hath a Son fit to be circumcised; for with him great many more are circumcised. There is notice given about 8 or 10 days before for all Men to appear in Arms, and great preparation is made against the solemn day. In the morning before the Boys are circum- cised, Presents are sent to the Father of the Child; that keeps the Feast; which, as I said before, is either the Sultan, or some great person: and about 10 or 11 a clock the Mahometan Priest does his Of- fice. He takes hold of the fore-skin with two sticks, and with a pair of Scizzars snips it off. After this most of the Men, both in City and Country being in Arms before the House, begin to act as if they were ingag'd with an Enemy, having such Arms as I described. Only one acts at a time, the rest make a great Ring of 2 or 300 yards round about him. He that is to exercise comes into the Ring with a great shriek or two, and a horrid look; then he fetches 2 or 3 large stately strides, and falls to work. He holds his broad Sword in one hand, and his Lance in the other, and traverses his ground, leap- ing from one side of the Ring to the other; and in a menacing posture and look, bids defiance to the Enemy, whom his fancy frames to him; for there is nothing but air to oppose him. Then he stamps and shakes his Head, and grinning with his Teeth, makes many ruful faces. Then he throws his Lance, and nimbly snatches out his Creffet, with which he hacks and hews the air like a mad man; often shrieking. At last, being almost tired with mo-