Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-08-14
A DEAD CHINANIAN.
The Peculiar Ceremonies and super
stitIOns Of "a Chinese Burial.
From the Overland Monthly.


In some places, while the body il
on the ground, and the souls ar
departing, Tauist priest is EN-
plOyed to chant portions of theil
ritual, accompanied with the beat
ing Of gongs and drums, and the
explosion of powder crackers. The
noise of drums, gongs and crackers
is for the purpose of frightening
away evil spirits. The firing o.
guns and crackers, however, is not
common among the Cantonese at
their funerals, we are told. -f
After death, articles of food are
placed near the body, abundant OF
meager, according to the ability OF
the friends. These are supposed to
be for the supply of the departed
spirit. Some of the provisions are
presented to the mouth of the de-
ceased by the Oldest son, or. if there
is no son present, then by some
other near relative or friend, who
kneels beside the body, while feed
ing the spirit.
Large sums are often expended
in dressing the body for its journey
to the world of spirits. The best
suit is put on, or new garments are
provided throughout, and of costly
materials where there is sufficient
means TO meet the expense; and
where there are no means, cheaper
materials are used, and even gar
ments of paper have been employ
ed, which may be put together in
such way as to resemble clothing
very closely.
Much solicitude is expended on
the subject of the longevity
boards or coffin, the desire being
TO procure that which is most du-
rabIe. In China the aged often
provide collins for themselves be-
forehand, or sons make presents of
this article to their parents, thus
furnishing a proof of tilial regard,
and putting to rest any solicitude of
the parent lest when dead there
might not be funds sufficient to
procure the longevity boards"
and furnish them a becoming bu-
rial.
When the body is washed, dressed
and prepared for the coffin, and
covered with a white cloth, tables
of provisions are set for the re-
calling of this particular spirit, and
also TO appease such other spirits
as may be lowering around. Among
these provisions there must be
five kinds of animal food uncooked,
and the five kinds which are
cooked; also a variety of cakes,
and dishes ofvegitables, with fruits,
wine and tea. The spectators may
notice whole fowls and fish fantas-
tically ornamented; also pigs
head, or an entire hog; with pyra-
mids of cakes and fruits, and vases
of flowers. All these are borne to
the graves at the time of the inter
ment, where they are again arrang-
ed in order, and suffered to remain
awhile as an offering to the dead,
and are then brought home to fur
nish a repast to the family and
friends.
Before the body is placed in the
coffin. and while the offerings re-
main upon the tables, mourning
women are gathered around, who
cause the air to resound with their
wailings. The wife, concubines,
and daughters-in law, or any
friends may join in these wailings ;
but often there are only hired
mourners.
These lamentations are exceed
ingly lugubrious, and are a mixture
of sobbing, of eulogies of the dead,
and of regrets for the bereavement,
and deprecating the sad lot of those
who have been robbed of a friend,
or Of a support and proVider. The
speeches are generally improvised
but sometimes are according to
formulas which have long been
used, and which have been walled
over myriads of corpses.
Any relation or friend who is sc
disposed may contribute his quota
to these audible demonstrations Of
grief and one will say: 30, thou
departed one, l am thy relative
this day hast thou suddenly de
ceased. Never can our affection
perish; it is impossible to restrain
weeping; from this time neVermor,
may we behold thee. In the part,
ing our heart is torn; but we hop,
that after death thy soul has joy anC
peace, having assembled TO tn,
heavenly palace, there continually
to confer prosperity on thy children
and grandchildren. While in life
all thy dealings with men wer
benevolent and righteous, with al
upright heart dwelling among men
performing thy business with wis
dom. BY right, Heaven ought t
have prolonged thy age to a hun
dred years. Wherefore, then, b.
this one sickness art thou ALREADY
dead We are thy relatives, we ar
thy friends; and how shall not GU
bowels be sundered by the force o
our distress and lamentation:
Alas alas ~
When one mourner ceases an
other commences and chants his o
her dirge, and says: "Alas alas
Why was it not that | had die,
rather than be doomed to remain
in the land of the living, an in
heritor of trouble and grief, Will
thou art removed? Thou, so ia
ented aud wise, thou oughtest {
have been spared to become a
officer of the Empire, even as pi
lar of the royal palace And pei
haps another adds go thou ough
est to have been spared to thy N,
tive town, the hope of the inhab
tants, and to whom they loo
Thou vast one who vert able {
teach thy sons all righteousness al
all upright measures. But no