The Commentary of Father Monserrate 2.4.4

2.4.4

The town of Naroaris is situated at the foot of a hill, the levelled top of which is occupied by a fort. Fierce storms and violent whirlwinds are so frequent there that not a house in the town would be able to retain its roof, had not God himself solved this difficult problem by supplying a natural abundance of marble slabs, which are used for roofing. Whilst the party was at this place, about the 15th day of the month of February the Musalman nine-days' festival began. At the same time the Hindus held their Idaean festival. The former is held in honour of Asson and Hossen grandsons of Muhammad by his daughter Fatima. Their father was Halis. They are said to have been conquered by the Christians in a war which they had undertaken in order to establish and spread their grandfather's religious system. They were thereupon cruelly tortured by the unbelievers (as the Musalmans call us) and were compelled to walk with bare feet over hot coals. For this reason the Musalmans fast for nine days, only eating pulse; and on certain of these days some of them publicly recite the story of the sufferings of Asson and Hossen from a raised platform, and their words stir the whole assembly to lamentation and tears. On the last day of the festival funeral pyres are erected and burnt one after the other. The people jump over these, and afterwards scatter the glowing ashes with their feet. Meanwhile they shriek 'Asson Hossen' with wild and savage cries.