Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1865-07-22
A Mohammedan Paradise ON Earth.

| During the time we remained at Goa we made
an excursion along the coast to the neighboring
village of Seroda. inhabited by remark BILE
race of women. who are celebrated throughout
the Western part of India for their great benuty
and unusually fair complexion. They are Hin
docs of the Conkany caste, but differ in many
respects from any other tribe. They are not A.
lowed to marry, nor are men, except the
priests belonging to the pasodas-of which there
are several in the village allowed to reside
within its precincts. They are however encour-
aged to become mothers and, like the Amazo-
nian queen-who is said to have visited Alexan-
der the Great in hopes of thereby Obtaining an
heroic daughter-thev are very particular in
selecting fathers, likely from eher appearance to
perpeiuate in their children the fair complexion
and classical features for which they are so Justly
celebrated | was not able 10 ascertain how the
male children are disposed of hut believe they
are dedicated TO the temples and become priests :;
while the females-or perhaps only the finer
specimens, for all the children we saw are stri-
kingly handsome-are reared with the utmost
care t. sustain the character of this village of
Hours. Their origin is Shrouded in mystery :;
but tradition SAYS they are sprung from nm an
cient sisterhood of Portuguese nuns strange
origin enough if the tale be true. They never
leave their native viIlage-which they appear to
! think the most delightful spot on earth-and
have Il superslitous belief that if they were to
ascend above the Ghau;s they would Immediately
die.
On landing near the village we pitched our
tent on the beach and in accordance with the
/ etiquette of the place. we dispatched a meSSen-
ger to announce our arrival. We were soon after
waited upon by depuation of smiling nymphs
who in the most graceful mrnner expressed their
thanks for the honor we mad done them. and in
formed they were charged with Il message
from the matron of the village. requesting the
pleasure of our company in the evening to wit
ness ''nautch :; and after throwing garland
of flowers round each of our necks they returned
to the village. | much struck with the
grace and beauty of those young creatures.
They were nearly as fair as Europeans. with
beautifully regular features and their deep blue
I melting eyes edged with long Silken cye-laShes.
were perfectly bcwtchng. Their figures were
more stately and their limbs fuller and better
rounded. than those of Indian females generally
are and their peculiar dress--n flowing robe
( confined round the waist by simple zone, and
loOpet up on one side rs to expose the leg TO
a little above the knee-closeiy rescmbled the
drapcrv of ancient Greek statue. Their hair.
simply braided, entwincd with wreaths of
eSsamiue. and secured behind with gold bod
kin. And the general effect of their charms was
not little heightened by the un ilccted sweetness
and simple modesty of their demeanor. For,
notwithstanding their strange misunderstanding
TO our ideas of propretv. but considered per-
fectly proper by ihem-the poor things retain all
the native modesty of their sex, and are not 10y
any means mcretricious' in their behavior.
In the cool of the evening proceeded to
the village. on the outskirts of which we were
met by another deputalon of the fair nhab-
tantS and conducted to the house Of the head
matrOn. The village is beautifully situated in II
grove of orange. citron. and palm trees, through
which the soft Sea-breeze comes Laden with per
fume; beautiful salt water lagoon, wooded to
! the edge. lies in front of it and in the back
ground the deep blue mountains appear to form
Il barrier between this ench uniting spot and the
rema inder of the world. We were received with
great ceremony by the matron aud all the he IL
ties of the village. in II large open apartment
where we were sprinkled with rose water. and
RECALLED with tea. We then seated ourselves
round the room 10 witness the performance Of
some = nautch girl, belonging TO the temple
ard departed at tn litc hour. after distributing
! so ne little presents, such AS embroidered slip
/ per$, bangles, etc. among the tarest of our
entertainers TrdreiS IN Iadi0