Massuu Proquest Number: 11015821
DEGREE | fh. D, DATE t 29th AUGUST 1962 HAMS t ISSA S A U K MASSuU ProQuest Number: 11015821 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 11015821 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 \ ~1 07 4-4s i INTRODUCTION The amount of material ever written on the subject of religious folklore of the Holy Places in general, and that of Bethlehem in particular, Is surprisingly small. The researcher In this enexplored field is thus bound to depend largely on first-hand Information from looal sources, and on close observation by long residence in the Dlstrlot, rather than on scattered writings. Cultural contacts and assimilation of western values in the area have naturally restricted folklorlc tendencies. Besides, the doyens of folklore are rapidly passing away. Perhaps there is no other science which faces this dilemma of rapid decline, and in which rescue work which is not at tempted at once will never be again practically possible. Much of the material collected here, characterised by its simplicity and vigour, has been recorded for the first time and virtually saved from extinction.
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