Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/306

 ^262 CHARACTER OF MAHOMEDANISM imagine, to supply the place of the ancient Hindu festivals, called in these countries the Galungan and Kuningan, which divided the year into two equal parts, and which in a civil, as well as reli- gious view, were considered as important seasons, for then the public revenue was paid, and all con- tracts concluded. The institution of this festival was, in all probability, a discreet concession made to the Javanese by the first Mahomedan mission- aries. The festival of the nativity or Maulud, and that which succeeds the Ramzan or Mahomedan lent, on the first of ShaXDaly called rather ambigu- ously by the Hindu name of Fivwasa, or the Jast^ divide the year into nearly equal portions, and are now the principal festivals of the Javanese ; it is then that the public revenue is paid and all con- tracts made. Except the festival in honour of ancestors, the others are celebrated in the same way, and are considered rather as occasions of rejoicing and fes- tivity, than of the performance of prayer and reli- gious duty. A description of them, as exhibited at the courts of the native princes, may gratify curio- sity, while it affords a new and unexpected picture of eastern customs and manners. Previous to these great festivals, the governors of provinces and other chiefs, with a numerous concourse of retainers and followers, repair to court. At an early hour of the fnprningof the festival, each, accompanied by his pcor