WHEN THE NILE FLOODS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 September 1941, Page 2

WHEN THE NILE FLOODS

RIGID PRECAUTIONS AGAINST INFECTION. i DANGERS TO TROOPS' HEALTH. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO. August 26. Rigid precautions against infection have to be kept up by soldiers stationed in the Middle East. The first lecture reinforcements receive on landing in. Egypt is on the subject of health, for here there are innumerable dangers to guard against. The period towards the end of the summer, when the River Nile floods, brings increased danger of malarial infection from mosquitoes, and special precautions require to be taken. Troops are given advice by the Army medical authorities, and if this is followed there is little danger of infection spreading. The flooding of the Nile which occurs about the end of August every year is marked by a celebration in Egypt known as “Cutting the Khalig.” The celebration of the rising of the Nile dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians, when the river was symbolised as a god. In those times a virgin, dressed in rich clothes and ornamented with jewels, was thrown as a sacrifice into the Nile while the people prayed for a high flood. This practice was stopped by the Arabs when they conquered Egypt. In modern Cairo the occasion is celebrated, as an official Government festival. A few days before the feast groups of men, known as the Munady, pass through the streets of the native quarter expressing good wishes to the masters of the houses they pass. On the day of the festival the Munady go about the streets, accompanied by a band and by young girls who dance. The official celebration takes place in the afternoon in a huge marquee erected at a place called Fom El Khalig. A Nile steamer, the “Akaba,” is towed along the river, gaily betlagged and painted. A document, certifying that Nilometer has registered 16 Zirah (cubits) is signed by the Governor of Cairo, representing the King, and the President of the Mohammedan Law Courts. It is usual to hold a display of fireworks in the evening, but during the war while a blackout is in force the celebrations are confined to the day time.