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Bairam at Siout, Upper Egypt, 1824

Carne, John: Letters from the East... London, Henry Colburn, 1826, 2 volumes.

It was the first day of the second bairam, and all the Turks and Egyptians were taking each other by the hand in the streets, and, having mutually kissed the cheek as brethren in the faith, they placed the right hand on the breast with an air of the utmost kindness and pleasure, and expressed their joy at the arrival of this happy day. It was a universal holiday: the Arabs, like boys released from school, formed in large groups in the open spaces, and danced and sang with all their might.

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