Dervishes

a class of religious devotees. They are organized usually into an order of mendicant monks, and practice self-denial as holy men. They are found throughout Mohammedan countries and among the Hindu Brahmins. Socially they vary from outcasts, who make a living by practicing sleight-of-hand and begging alms, to men who are held in high esteem for the devoutness of their lives, and who are admitted to the homes of the wealthy. There are two general classes--the howling and the dancing dervishes. The latter dance to the sound of music, working themselves into a state of religious exaltation in which they preach moral sermons. The howling dervishes shout the name of Allah as they dance and work themselves into a pious frenzy not unlike an epileptic fit. They contort their bodies, gash themselves with knives, and go to extremes of self-torture. In a holy war the dervishes take the field and are formidable opponents. In battle they skirmish at the far front, urging their people on with fanatical fury. They throw themselves on the sword or bayonet without the least hesitation, like Arnold of Winkelried, making way through the serried ranks for their frenzied followers. The English and French troops of India, and particularly of North Africa, have found the Arab dervishes a difficult element to deal with.