History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

116 HUISTORY OF THE PARSTS. [CHAP, III.

difference in the forms of worship or religious ceremonies of the Shehenshais and the Kadmis. The following minor exceptions may, however, be noticed. The vowel which the Shehenshais pronounce as w is pronounced by the Kadmis as ee. Thus, whilst the Kadmis would say “Ahee,” the Shehenshais would say “Ahu,” and so on. In the forms of prayers in Pazand there are slight differences, but they do not in any way affect the tenets of the religion professed by both sects. A Parsi when he prays has to recite the names of the month and day on which he offers his petition. The mention of the date, therefore, is the principal distinction between the prayers of a Kadmi and those of a Shehenshai.

The Shehenshai sect greatly outnumbers the Kadmi. Out of a total population of one hundred thousand souls the Kadmis are hardly ten or fifteen thousand. But the smallness of their number has been no hindrance to their gaining a prominent position in the community, or to their advancement in life. Within the last fifty years some of the most influential Parsis have belonged to this sect, and even at the present day it includes very distinguished men. ‘The late Mr. Framji Kavasji, a most enlightened Parsi, belonged to it. In our own day this sect is represented by the highly-respected Mr. Framji Nasarvanji Patel ; by the liberal, enterprismg, and wealthy members of the Kama family; and by the Dadiseth family,