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Kawass bodyguards at the entrance to the Holy Sepulchure.

Kawass bodyguards at the entrance to the Holy Sepulchure.

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Yosef Bar-On


Free Account, Lachish

Kawass bodyguards at the entrance to the Holy Sepulchure.

Men of an ancient Moslem family in Jerusalem are the traditional bodyguards for the Christian patriarchs, and lead religious processions today, just as they have been doing for centuries.

Commentaire 3

  • Esti Eini 03/07/2005 11:03

    Very interesting! Maybe it could be also interesting in colors.
  • Yosef Bar-On 02/07/2005 19:45

    Indeed they do keep the keys to all the holy shrines. Traditionally the most prominent Moslem family in Jerusalem keeps this position and the keys.
    This ancient tradition started even long before the Ottoman, Turkish period and has continued without a break through the years of the British Mandate, the Jordanian rule and even today, under the Israeli government.
    The staffs held by the Kawass are pounded rhythmically during the religious processions on the cobblestones of the Old City, on the way to the Holy Sepulchure and one can hear the procession from a long distance.
  • Radomir-Masha Dikosavljevic 02/07/2005 15:46

    I've heard of that ancient custom. Don't they also guard the key to the hoilest shrine?
    This is an interesting photo. What you needed is to leave a bit more space on the left to make the composition more balanced.
    Best reagards,
    Masha