Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-10-17
Manners and Customs In Siam.

Wherein to read, wherein to write.
Manners and Customs In Siam.
The principal clothing of the Siamese
consists of waist-cloth called pa
mung,' corresponding to the sarong in
India. 1t is about two and one-Lalf
ysrds long, and one yard vide; is placed
around the waist, neatly tucked in. the
two ends brought together, twisted. and
brought back between the legs tucked in
behind Formerly this was the ensy
clothing worn, except a scarf thrown
around the shoulders in cool weather.
X ngs formerly used to receive foreigners
whilst dressed in that style. Since the
influx of foreigners, however, they have
adopted neat jacket with sleeves, and
cut to fit tight to the skin, and bnttoned
up in front Those of the higher classes
ore made of silk, but those OF the common
people are nothing but common white
uu.lin. The pa nungs, also. of the
better classes are made of silk, whilst
those of the common people are generally
cotton. The attire of the iem les is
pretty much like that OF the males. ex-
ocpt when they wish to dress, they have
Deat yellow silk scarf, which they fold
gracefully over the shoulders The SIAM
ese display excellent taste in the selection
Of colors and figures, and have no love
fer The gaudy in the way of clothing, like
tie MalaYs and some other eastern ma
tions Shoes are seldom worn. The
better classes have sandals or slippers
but very lik ly slave will be carrying
them after the owner, and when worn,
are always drown eff before entering
house Occasionally however, you can
see some young fellow rendering himself
ridiculous in a poir Of European shoes
and European coat.
The males shave the head, except q
tuft on the top, which resembles shoes
brush. The females do not shave the
head, but clip the hair as close IS posi-
lie, leaving the tuft similar to the males,
and small love lock in trout Of each
ear.
sThey have universal and disgusting
practice of chewing the areca nut. The
tut Of the areca palm is possessed OF
astringent properties Similar to the bark
USED in tanning. In connection with
this nut they use the leaf of the scri vine
which has kind of pepperish TASTE
They take white stone lime while yet an
risked. and mix with it tie powdered
tumeiio root, which tarus 1t crimson
tlor. They take the seri leaf and pus
on it a quantity of that red lime in the
form of past.; and then portion Of the
arcea nut, the leaf with the lime Oh 1t,
and some fne-cut tobacco, are all put
into the mouth together. The saliva
arising from such q mixture is a kind of
hloodred color, and is very coplous.-
Their houses and walks have frequently
a very disgusting appearance, from large
deposits of that red saliva having beer
spit out of the mouth upon them. This
., ocess turns the teeth black, and indeed
destroys them. as the lime adheres to sire
teeth and destroys the enamel. and finally
they drop out by wholesale. Those who
have no teeth to chew the mixture carry
with them small mortar, and pound it
ali up together before putting it into the
mouth. Bota sexes are addicted to this
practice. AID an exception can rarely be
found
Black teeth are an element of beauty,
and besides the chewing of the areca nut
ttey resort to other means of coloriag.-
When cautioned against thus DESTROYING
the teeth, they invariably reply that
any monkey can have white teeth They
never 60 anywhere without the box con-
tanning the ingredients for chewing. The
prorer classes carry their own, but the
rich have theirs carried after them by
slave. A mans rank Is indicated
somewhat by the number Of slaves that
follow him, and the golden box con-
tanning the areca nut, etc, and teapot,
are the insignia. When one person calls
Gu another, almost the first thing done is
to set out the tray containing the chew
ing material, and not to DO so is con-
sidered almost au insult. The males are
also all inveterate smokers from infancy.
y In going anywhere together, they never
walk side by side as we would do, but
Que after the other, according to rank or
age. The husband, also, always goes
before, and his wife or wives walk be-
hind. It is also contrary to Siamese
Custom 10 have any one pass over their
head. and consequently they will not
occupy the lower story Of q house when
persons are above them on the next story.
When the King goes out on the canals in
his boat. all the bridges have to be
drawn, lest his sacred head hould pass
under where some persons had walked. -
No greater insult can be offered than to
take a man by the tuft Of hair on his
head. It is the same as splitting in d
mars. face with US
Like all eathens, they are very fond of
jewefry, especially the women. Their
finders are frequently nearly covered
over with rings; gold chains are also
thrown around the neck and shoulders,
and neat gold pin through the lobe Of
the ear. Children wear anklets. Those
OF the rich are of gold, aud quite heavy;
some are of silver, and those Of the poorer
classes are brass. I have seen some of
The children of princes and mobiles with
several hundred dollars worth Of jew
elry on them, in the form Of anklets,
bracelets, and gold chains, and aside
from the jewelry the body was perfectly
nude. - teanings.