The procession of the Manunal leaving Cairo, August 1918.

The Manunal was a covering mat or carpet for the Kaa'ba outside the Great Mosque at Mecca. Very highly decorated, a new one was made in Cairo each year and transported in ceremonial procession to Port Said, by ship to Jeddah, and on to Mecca. This film shows the start of the journey, with Egyptian troops and police lining the streets of Cairo through which the procession, led by a military band, passes. The procession pauses before a mosque to receive a blessing. The carpet itself, which must not be seen or touched, is enclosed in a large ornate box.

Notes

Title: this is taken from the shotsheet.

Summary: further information on the Manunal was provided by the Islamic Cultural Centre, London.