The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-27
THE G0LOKS OF Tibet
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF RACE
As YET LITTLE KNOWN.
They Occupy a Large Territory, Into
which Few Strangers Penetrate
"A NomadIc People.
I"Among the Farthest People" Copyright

I"Among the Farthest People" Copyright
by w. G. ]. Reid.l
On reaching Tchong-Siba we had pracu-
calIy passed out OF the country OF the
Goloks: though on several occasions after
wards We met with small wandering bands
or encampments; they were so few and far
between as not TO be properly classed as
inhabitants OF the country east of Oulang-
Mang Unfortunately the limited time at
our disposal. the insurmOuntable obstacles
presented by adverse physical conditions
and the rigOr of an almost Arctic winter,
prevented our penetrating more fully into
their country. The information which We
gathered concerning their characteristics
and customs therefore, must be OF neces-
sity in a measure fragmentary and linn
ited to those small scattered villages and
encampments which we visited during the
course OF our march. and 10 information
gathered from the head men OF Mongol
and Thibetan settlements. The Goloks,
owing to their antipathy to alien aggres-
sion, and the meager opportunity that has
been presented TO study them at close
range, are one Of the most interesting peo-
pies in central Asia.
Goloks really is not the name OF distinct
race, but rather the name applied by
ethnologists to a large number Of cognate
but widely separated tribes. which are scat
tered throughout northeastern Thibet in the
district of Kamdo. between the headwaters
OF Dji-Chu and the Ma-Chu. or Hoang-Ho
The limitations Of their country may be
roughly drawn by line on the north run
ming parallel with the Ma-Chu from the
Oring Nor TO Tchong-Siba, thence directly
south 20 Kane I'm central Schuen, the
southern and western borders being ap-
proximately marked by the trade-route
from Ta-Chien-lu 10 Jyekundo and the cur
rent of the DJi-Chu. respectively. forming
a sort OF quadrilateral area Of about twenty
thousand square miles.
NO CENSUS EVER TAKEN.
The extent of their territory. however
does not offer a safe means of judging Of
their number. for they are not a homogene-
Gus people, and, unlike the Thibetans and
Mongols, are thinly scattered over a large
area. being under no distinctive and settled
form of government; in fact, a number Of
small and petty tribal Kingdoms existing
under a generic name The name GOlok is
that applied to them by Mongols and Thi-
betans, although the natives call them
selves "Rurg- Hung" Thunder Host,
and. as have mentioned before, there can
be little doubt that the estimate of their
number by Hue and other travellers has
been too low. Averaging the figures gained
respectively from Mongol. Thibstan and
native sources, their total number is prob
ably ten thousand tents, or between forty
and fifty thousand people. Like most no
madic people. and especially as they gain
a greater part OF their livelihood from bril-
gandage and hostile forays on the more
peaceful occupants of contiguous territory
they do not Limit themselvs to their own
district but may be met with in regions
far removed from each other. according as
they are impeIled by the necessities of the
GrunTcrt.
In feature they are not unlike the Mon
gols, with the same fiat and expressionIess
facial traits, although somewhat darker in
color; that is, as a general rule. 1t is not
uncommon, however. to find many as light
as the Eastern Chinese and with some
what aquiline features. These latter.
doubtless, are not of the pure stock, but
a somewhat different race evolved from
intermarriage with alien peoples-Mongols
Thibetans or Lolos-most likely the latter
who are found in large numbers through
out northern Szchuen. The Goloks are not
so small in stature as they have been usu-
ally represented to be. They are taller
than either the Thibetans or Mongols,
their height-fve feet four inches to five
feet ten inches, and in rare cases six feet
being quite up to the average of the eau
casian standard. Their dress, however,
gives them a somewhat dwarfish appear
ance. This effect is likewise heightened
by a general tendency to a STOPPING posi-
ton in standing and while walking. par
ticularly noticeable among the females.
Both men and women are muscular and
active, the latter often inclinng to stout
ness, and both have. when not governed
by passion. a pleasing. good-humored cast
OF countenance, apt TO break into a grin
very small provocation. The skin has
generally a "bacony'' feel, and when
cleaned of the smoke, grease and other dirt
Che accumulation Of which varies accord
ing TO the age Of the individually gives them
an altogether pleasing cast of countenance.
The effect of their numerous hardships
sowever. soon leaves its traces. One is
astonished at the lack of middle-aged peo-
pie among them. a woman, after she has
passed her thirtieth year, having degen-
Grated into wrinkled. toothless and feeble
old hag while it Is uncommon to find a
man ten years older fit for active service
of any kind
THEIR DURABLE COSTUMES
The dress of both sexes is much the same;
tribes that live i'm districts near TO settled
trading Villages of Monsols or Thibetans
often indulge in the luxury of purchasing
coarse cloth for their habiliment. or, what
IS more often the case. plumber the trading
bands. The general dress. however, is usu-
ally of skins of the yak. antelope. sheep or
wolf the first two being the most common.
TIE long cloak of the men has a hood,
which in cold weather is used to cover the
head. leaving the face only exposed, the
women. although having a similar adj
junct. using il for moro utilitarian pur-
pose, namely. as a cradle for their infant
children. Underneath this voluminous out
side garment both sexes wear a small
jacket of coarse cloth and yak-skin trous-
ers. fastened into leather boots prepared
of the same material. very ingeniously and
neatly made; although. not being perfectly
tanned. they are unable 20 resist moisture
like those manufactured by the Thibetans.
requiring them to be changed when wet.
otherwise they would freeze hard i'm cold
weather. pair Of real leather boots. there
fore. are highly priced, and viii readily be
bought or exchanged for articles many
times their value. In fact We eventually