Pir

Definition and stakes

Portrait of Sir Richard Francis Burton Sir Richard Francis Burton,  The Book of the Sword

“ According to Plato, πῦρ (whence pyrites = sulphuret of iron) , ὕδωρ, and κύων are Phrygian words; and evidently they date from the remotest antiquity. Pir (sun-heat) is found even in the Quichua of Peru, and enters into the royal name ‘Pirhua.’ The French and Belgian caverns prove that striking fire by means of pyrites was known to primitive man.
[4] There are still races which are unable to kindle fire. This is asserted of the modern Andamanese by an expert, Mr. H. Man, Journ. Anthrop. Inst. Feb. 1882, p. 272. The same was the case with the quondam aborigines of Tasmania.
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Source: Gutenberg

1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 8… (1911)

“ The origin and history of the mystical life in Islam, which led to the growth of the order of dervishes, are treated under Ṣūfi‘ism It remains to treat here more particularly of (1) the dervish fraternities, and (2) the Ṣūfī hierarchy.
1. The Dervish Fraternities.—In the earlier times, the relation between devotees was that of master and pupil. Those inclined to the spiritual life gathered round a revered sheikh (murshid, “guide,” ustadh, pir, “teacher”) , lived with him, shared his religious practices and were instructed by him.
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Source: Wikisource

A. Hume-Griffith,  Behind the Veil in Persia and Turkish Arabia

“ Fire as a symbol is also connected with their worship, the disciples frequently passing their hands through the flame, kissing them, and then rubbing them over their faces. They have four orders of priesthood, which is hereditary, and consists of the Pirs, Sheikhs, Cawals, and the Fakirs.
The Pirs (from a Persian word meaning old man) are the most reverenced next to their great sheikh or head of the sect. These are believed to possess the power not only of interceding for their adherents, but also of curing disease and insanity.
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Source: Gutenberg

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