The Covenant of Salt; As Based on the Significance and Symbolism of Salt in Primitive Thought (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... rides out to meet the prince, in the field which he has selected for his dwelling, and conducts him to his own quarters. Then the Arab prince asks the pacha how much he is to pay for permission to dwell in that field. The bargain is soon concluded, according to the extent of the Arab encampment. "As soon as the bargain is concluded, a repast is prepared, and a salt-cellar, with some pieces of bread on a flat dish, is carried round the apartment by the pacha's servants. The dish is first presented to the pacha, who takes a piece of bread, dips it in the salt, and, holding it between two fingers toward the prince, calls out, 'Salaam ' that is Peace, 'I am the friend of your friend, and the enemy of your enemy' The dish is now presented to the Arab prince, who like wise takes a piece of bread, dips it in the salt, and says to the pacha, 'Peace I am the friend of your friend, and the enemy of your enemy ' Thereupon the dish with the bread is handed to the chief men of the Arab prince, and to the ministers of the pacha, who receive it in the same manner as their principals; with the exception that they simply say, on taking the bread, 'Salaam ' 'Peace ' " 1 Don Raphel speaking of the "conventions," or 1 Schultz's Leitungen des Hochsten nach seincm Rath auf den Reisen durch Europa, Asia, und Afrika, Part V., p. 246. quoted in Rosenmuller's Des alte und neue Morgenland, II., 152 c CUSTOM OF THE DRUZES % rather the "covenants," which are recognized by the Bed'ween as sacredly binding on them, says: "One kind of these conventions is made by their putting some grains of salt with pieces of bread into each other's mouths, saying, 'By the rite of bread and salt, ' or, 'By this salt and bread, I will not betray thee.' No oath is added; for the more sacred a...