Middle East
“Why’d It Have To Be Snakes?”
Source: The Pomona Daily Review (Pomona, California) 10 Jul 1913, Thu Page 4
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 28, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Death, Reptiles, Snakes, Worms and Other Slithery Things, 1910s, Middle East
Arabic Proverbs
I intend to salt my conversation thoroughly with the proverbs in this book.Read it here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 14, 2021 -
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Category: Religion, Proverbs, Maxims, Sayings, Folk Wisdom and Quotations, Middle East, Nineteenth Century
Unauthorized Dwellings 19
Full story here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 03, 2021 -
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Category: Eccentrics, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Unauthorized Dwellings, Middle East
Procession of the Holy Carpet
A vanished, rather homely and charming rite of the Islamic religion.
Full essay here.
At the beginning of the century, there were several types of popular ceremonies in Egypt that have disappeared or faded with time. One such ceremony is the procession of “El Mahmal” or “The Holy Carpet.”
The yearly celebration involved the Egyptian government manufacturing a new cover for the Holy Kaaba and offering it to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After the cover is prepared in the factory, a large ceremony takes place in Cairo, where a parade organised by the Egyptian army tours the different districts of the city.
The parade included a caravan of decorated camels carrying the Holy Carpet, as well as many other gifts. After the caravan ends its tour in Cairo, it starts its long trip, guarded by the Egyptian army, across the eastern desert, then on to the Suez Canal and Sinai till it reaches Palestine.
From Palestine, it goes directly to Saudi Arabia, crossing its northern borders to the heart of Hijaz, then to Mecca. Normally it reached Mecca before the pilgrimage season, where another ceremony takes place that ends with the covering of the Kaaba with the Holy Carpet.
Posted By: Paul - Sun May 06, 2018 -
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Category: Religion, Interior Decorating, Middle East, Twentieth Century
Land of Islam
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jul 10, 2017 -
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Category: Foreign Customs, 1930s, Africa, Middle East
Musical Celebration of Innocent Verdict
After being deemed innocent on charges of attempted terrorism while trying to smuggle 20,000 euros out of the UK in her underwear, Nawal Msaad gave her unique public reaction to the verdict in the form of the video above.
Many more odd and fascinating details (Chanel-enhanced ankle monitor) at the link.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 14, 2014 -
Comments (9)
Category: Terrorism and Terrorists, Sex Symbols, Europe, Middle East, Cacophony, Dissonance, White Noise and Other Sonic Assaults
This Land Is Mine
This Land Is Mine from Nina Paley on Vimeo.
So very very timely......
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 23, 2014 -
Comments (12)
Category: Death, Destruction, Patriotism, Regionalism, Cartoons, Middle East
Soosan Khanoom
Described as the biggest home-grown pop hit in Iran's history.
The band's homepage. Warning: autolaunches pleasant music.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 13, 2014 -
Comments (4)
Category: Music, Middle East
Evolution
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 20, 2013 -
Comments (4)
Category: Body Modifications, Surrealism, Cartoons, Middle East
Egyptian Deities Cigarettes
[Click on any image to enlarge]
After our look at Murad cigarettes, here's another brand of the period. I wonder how well they would sell in today's geopolitical climate? And isn't there something sacrilegious about naming your product after another religion's sacred gods?
Posted By: Paul - Sun Aug 25, 2013 -
Comments (6)
Category: Art, Business, Advertising, Products, Tobacco and Smoking, 1920s, Middle East
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |