The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-27

very few settled villages and have no sub
stantial dwellings, the nomad character
of their nature making them unwilling TO
remain long in one spot. They generally
live in small dome-shaped tents easily
transported from place to place; when set
ling for the winter, in addition TO these
abodes. they build huts in the sheltered
valleys of stone, turf and earth, or exca-
vate caves in the hillsides, entered by
long, tunnel-like passage, which can only be
traversed on all fOurs. These, however,
though comfortable chat is, according TO
the native idea of comfort). in winter be-
come damp, and in summer unbearably
close. and are then deserted. Perhaps the
above statement should be confined to
the real nomad Golok, as il was entirely
among this branch that our personal in
vestigations were carried on, for in the
mountains there are many tribes who have
a more settled nature, build squalid VIII
lagos and generally do not change their
place of habitation during the entire year.
The nonad Golok, however, is the true
representative of the race. In his wander
ing life his winter residence in the sheltered
plains and valleys may be considered as the
central point; it is here that he erects his
stone hut or burrows his cave, and re-
mains during the intense cold and storms
of the winter. At the beginning of March,
a little sooner or later, he begins TO wan
der from place to place. encamping in his
tent where pasturage is most abundant for
his cattle, or where conditions are most
propitious for his brigandish outlawry.
For several months he enjoys this free
and untrammeled career, and about the
beginning of November he is back at his
nuad1a or winter home, busy killing yaks,
drying the meat. and preparing other food
for an enforced vacation till spring has
rolled round again.
From the nomad, or plain, GoIok, the
mountain Golok is mainly distinguished by
the narrower limits within which ne pur
sues his nomadic life, If ii can be properly
so called. The latter never wanders out
side OF a certain district OF narrow area
surrounding his settled village. where he
possesses hereditary rights, and maintains
a series of camping grounds which he
visits in regular rotation; the country in
which he lives being more fertile. he is not
obliged to wander great distances TO find
grazing land for his fiocks. The peaceful
nature of lis ordinary vocation, however,
and his semi-civilized condition of making
some pretense to tribal cohesion. does not
render him less hostile and INSCRIPTIONS
than his nomad prototype. though his OPP
portunities are somewhat hindered owing
to the lack OF subjects willing to penetrate
his country to provide him with excuse for
making foraying raids. Nevertheless, he
has no hesitation in attacking his nomad
neighbors.
A WANDERING PEOPLE.
The nomad Golok are mainly hunters,
fishermen, grazers and marauding free
hooters, and derive most of their subsist-
ence from one or all of these four sources.
Their wandering habits and the sterility of
the sell will admit of no agricultural pur-
suits, even were they willing to spare the
time for this peaceful occupation. Beyond
the tea, tsamba and other products which
they obtain from the settled villages, or
from bartering with Mongols and Thi-
betans, they use no vegetable food, being
essentially flesh eaters. The yak, sheep
and various kinds of antelopes supply the
bulk of their food. as well as their clothing,
light and the material for various articles
of domestic economy, dried dung being
generally utilized as fuel. Though wood is
by no means scare in this region, they
seem 10 De 10 take the trouble 10
cut it; this, at least is the opinion
gained, although Prejevalsky and others
have asserted that their Discrimination to
do so is from purely superstitious reasons,
in the belief that each tree cut down I'M
loOses malevolent spirit form which will
harass the destroyer of its home. 1 ques-
toned many natives concerning this super
stition, but was unable to secure corrobora-
ton. so 1 think the reason first given
namely, that of downright laziness, is the
more probable of the two
For untutored savages they are possessed
of much inventive genius and show consid-
cradle adeptness III the manufacture of
their weapons and household utensils
Their guns are secured from the Thibetan
and Mongol villages and traders, but they
fashion their own spears, lances. arrows
and other implements. In mechanical skill
they have developed ability far surprising
that of savages more favorably situated
but less endowed with brain power; in
fact, in this respect they are not a whit in
ferior either TO the most civilized Thibet-
ans or Mongols. For drawing this infer
ence we had 10 rely more or less on the
statements OF the natives themselves: but
as they inordinately proud. continually
have no hesitation in distorting the truth
it is possible that many of their saddles,
bowls, knives, etc, are not their own
handiwork. as they claim, but either Thi-
betan or Chinese.