The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-08-03
TIE crprp rTRRiroRy

IUE tEUlb TERRITORY.
The region in dispute was n tract irregu.
larly bounded on the west and south by the
convolutions OF the Mekong. IL comprses
the northern states of the Laos group, the
chief OF which is Luang Phrabang. The
Shans and the Laos are one and the same
people and both are closely akin TO the Sia.
inese. or this race there are two main di.
visions, the white Paunch" and the
BLACK Pauuch," Laos 80 called from the
habit OF tTtooing black pattern on he
stomach. They are historical people who
were formerly IN an AZ citnt and powerful
Kingdom, whose capital, Ninh. .khianh, was
taken aud DESTROYED by the Siamese about
the year ls2S. Since then they have been
subject TO Siam, and are governed by the
mandarins appointed Ivy the Siamese gov.
ernment and by khiao, or hereditary
princes.
The Laos are a mixed race, the original
race having emigrated into the country and
intermarried with its aborigines, the khas.
They have also mingled wi h the Boloyens
Thehs, Redehs and Sin, and the resulting
people present every type OF Mongoian.
Those who have preserved the purity Of the
original blood IN any degree are, however,
easily distinguished from the mixed lower
classes by their high cheek bones, small
hat nose. oblique eyes, wide mouth long,
black hair, sparse beard. They are a semi.
civilized people ssttled in small towns and
villages and engaged chiefly in agriculture.
Next 10 a2ricnliure. the manufacture OF
cheap silk and cotton fabrics is ,heir chief
employment They have long established
tracing relations with China, iiurmah and
Cainbonla, with which countries their ivory
gold dust tin, gums. etc, are bartered for
opium. hardware and porcelain.
buddhism is their religion, or form Of
II. More, perhaps than TO Buddha their
worship is directed hy various genii. such
as the wood demons, who hold sway in the
jungle, the Tear demons. who busy them.
selves with frightening folks by means Of
horid shares or sounds, the malignant
demons, who cause all manner of diseases
ana the tuieiary demons, or guardian angels
who give them protection from in. To
these last an altar is erected in every house.
on which are offered wax tapers ri @
sandalwnod and cOplOus libations Of arrack.
Within the last few years some very
hourishing missions have been established
in the territory by the American Presby-
terian church.
Many travellers have expressed favorabl.
opinions OF the people of Laos. saving that
they are peaceful. patient sober and honest.
IN these respects they resemble closely the
eiamese., They are said, too, to have an
especial horror uf stealing and one of their
kings is said to have had thieves boiled in
OIL Slavery - an institu;on to which they
are devoted, Now md then the mandarins
organize regular expeditions against the
w!!d tribes, just rs the Arabs do IN Africa
ana whole villages are taken into captivity.
But OF these captiyes. us Of the slaves in
Siam proper It may at least be said that
they are treated kindly
The wages Of the common laborer in Laos
range from 81 TO s. per month. II is dan.
gerous 10 know too much in Laos. Skilled
mechanical work is done by men drafted by
the government OF by prisoners, These
and perhaps receive 10 rupees for a years
labor