Note 285 — Chapter III · THE HAÏK.

In one of the poems of Shanfara, the Cid of the Arabians, this passage occurs:—“I will not rest till I have raised the dust on every one who wears kissa or bourd, of the tribe of Salaman.” This is interpreted to mean that he would lay low the men of note. The word bourd occurs in various places. St. Augustine, speaking of a presbyter, vain and worldly-minded, describes him as “burda vestitum.” In Genesis xxxi. 12, the word is used to designate the variegated lambs; and in the Gaelic is translated by the word which they use for “tartan.” It would thus appear to convey rather the idea of colour than of form. Shanfara might have said, if speaking of the Highlands, “Every man who wears tartan,” as distinguished from the shepherd plaid. Kissa may have a similar meaning—black and white. It is nowhere mentioned as a dress. Kisson, the name of the “ancient brook,” is supposed to be connected with κίσσα of the Greeks, or magpie, (black and white). Kissa may also be fringe; for tzetzith (fringe), is cabalistically equal to kisee (throne).