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Volume 3 34 |
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A–Z |  |
BEFORE THE MADRASAH ULUG BEG IN THE SQUARE OF SAMARKAND
| Samarkand, an oasis city, has been described as a "jewel set in sand." Its luxuriant gardens, architectural splendours, and the fact that it was the scene of the Arabian Nights' story-telling, explain the glamour that glorifies it in the Eastern eye. The Righistan, the beautiful public square, is fringed by three fine madrasahs, or colleges, one of which is named after the astronomer, Ulug Beg |
RHYTHMIC DANCE OF SARIKOLIS IN THEIR CHARACTERISTIC GARB
| Dressed in long, dressing-gown coats, quilted, and usually tied round the waist by a narrow band, the Sarikolis present a comical spectacle as they perform the ungainly steps which they call dancing. While the slow shuffling of their feet is in progress their arms, cased in ludicrously long sleeves, are brought into play, the whole accompanied by the "orchestra" in the background |