Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-02
BURlEIGH & FlYNT, Pubs Kennebec Journal

in 1866 Able Desgodins penetrated some
distance into the country. but he. too,
was forced to turn back by the inha BIZ
tants col Prjevalsky. Il Russian. sub
Sequently made 4 determined effort to
explore northern Thibet. but was pre-
vented from continuing his progress to
the south.
The early history of Thibet is purely
legendary. but it seems probable that d
state was founded in the eastern portion
about 433 A. d. by member of the Tubat
family. the Governor of q. Chinese pro-
vince. who was obliged to flee for his life.
The Chinese name for The state thus
founded Is equivalent 10 "heavy stones
II is related Of a subsequent king. who
is said to have ruled in the eighth CEN
fury, that, having determined 10 estab-
liSh perfect equality among his subjects,
he enacted that there should be no dis
tinction between rich and poor, and
compelled the wealthy to share their
riches with the poverty-stricken, but IL
naIly gave up in despair. when after hav-
ing tried the experiment three times, he
found it impossible To maintain such a
state of equality.
The various petty tribes We're subiu
gated by the Mongol invaders in the
seventeenth century, and about 1920 the
Chinese oVerran the country and eStab-
lished the present form of government
Chinese authority is maintained by two
imperial representatives. VINO direct the
foreign and military affairs OF the coun-
try leaving the civil and religious gov
eminent entirely TO the natives. The
number of Chinese troops kept in Thibet
is small, amounting in all to about four
thousand, half of whom are stationed at
Lhasa.
supreme authority in civil matters is
in the hands of the grand lama, or high
priest who lives in a famous temple
palace of Poto La He delegates his
powers. however to a special officer APP
pointed by the Chinese Government, who
is nominaIly his Prime Minister. The
four principal provinces are each ruled
by a Governor, appointed by the Prime
Minister.
The Thibctans cherish legend in re-
gard to their origin which is strongly
c.,ryoboratory of the Darwinian theory
/. is to the effect that they are descended
from an ape sent to their country, which
they call the snowy kingdom, by Deity
called Chcnrsig, and of Thlbetan fc-
male demon. This odd couple had six
children. whom they abandoned as soon
as weancd in a forest of fruit trees. On
the return of the father a few years later
he was surprised to find that their num-
bers had increased to 800, but as they
were starving he appealed to ChenrSg,
who assumed the guardianship of the
race and threw downto the famishcd apes
a quantity of five kinds of grain In con-
sequence of eating this grain the apes
| tails and the hair on their bodies grew
/
reared. and they began to speak and be-
| come men. clothing themselves with
| leaves The belief in Il monkey ancestor
seems common to the different branches
| of the race.
The people of the country have the
| characteristics of the Monaghan race.
| and are divided into large number of
tribes. many of which are nomadic. The
| inha bitantS of the Western regions are
short in statue. averaging about feet 2
/ ;,,,,E In ni oh nj q n no
| portions of the country possess finer
| physique.
| AS to general characteristics they are
| said to be strong. slender of limb. with
black eyes slightly oblique, ruddy,
| brownish complexion. large mouth brown
hair and no beard. They are reputed to
be- as a rule, mild in temper and true to
their word. but wildly superstitious. The
people of the Eastern part of the country
have an unenviablc reputation for
| treachery and Cowardice. The Laka or
| .olo tribes in the Southeastern part of
| Thibet are remarkable for their Euro
| rean white features.
The savages of the North have a dark
complexion. dress in skins and live in
caves and dens under the shelter Of over
| hanging rocks. They are remarkable for
their tieetness of foot, and, being almost
ignorant of the use of arms, lie in wait
| for game near springs of water.
Their burial customs are especially pc
| culiar the hair being plucked from the
| top of the head in order to facilitate
| transmigration. Bodies are disposed oil
| by cremation. burial, or by exposing to
| birds and beasts of prey
! 4 feature of Thibetan life which has.
perhaps attracted more attention than
| any other is that of poiyanury. which
| has been practiced from earliest times
| The plurality of husbands seems to cause
little trouble and travellers report that
| women are treated with especial con-
| sidcration. and enjoy paramount posi-"
ton which. in certain tribes Of the East
ern part Of the country, amounts to pos
| tive sovereignty
/! There are two religions in Thibet ex-
listing penceably side by side. These arc
| Iamaism a form of Buddhism, and an
earlier creed. known as the Bon religion
! the latter existing mainly in the centra
part. while the people of the Eastern and
| Western parts are Buddhste. Gsenrabs
| perhaps the chief of the eighteen prin