The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
MORNING. DECEMBER Is. 1901.


seldom hereditary in our sense of the
term, as descending from father TO son. but
are rather elective within the limits of the
clan or tribe, or the division of clan. A
common practice is for the holder Of a high
title TO nominate a successor; and this
nomination is generally confirmed by the
head men, or heads of families, with whom
the right of election rests. The rank of
these officials, however, is but little more
than titular; their executive powers are
limited, and they have, likewise, little
no power in interfering with the personal
rights desires of small clans or families,
or even single individuals Any one of these
latter would feel itself at liberty to make
war carry on feud with another clan
or family, without consulting the views of
any higher authority; indeed. the rule is
for each family or individual to settle their
affairs unless it should grow to such pro-
portions as to have influence on the
tire tribe or community when it becomes a
thing affecting the general economy and is
settled by the chiefs and head men; the
warning factions, whatever their personal
views must implicitly abide by the dispo-
sition of the authorities.
THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
10 the ItllSlOuS CuStOl1lS Ol the
MongoIs of this district, in spite of the
fact that they are generally classed under
either Buddhistic or Mohamr- edan heads,
they are all more or less polytheists. With
out doubt many of their gods and patron
deities are merely deified men, but it is
also clear that some are the forces of ma
ture personified, while others appear to
represent human passions which have be-
come identified with particular persons
who have an existence in their historical
myths. There is a general belief in the ex-
istence of the spirit of man after the death
of the body, and though the traditions on
the condition of the dead vary consider
ably in different tribes and districts, yet
there is a common agreement on main
points, such as general unanimity of opin-
ion that the region of the dead is in the
heavens, and that when the spirit leaves
the body it is conveyed by waiting spirits
to the abode of spirits. The belief is also
prevalent that the spirits of the dead are
able to revisit the scenes of their earthly
life; these visits. being generally made at
night, are greatly dreaded, especially when
there may be any supposed reason for spite
on the part of the dead toward living rela-
tives. This explains the veneration in which
malevolent deities are held and the i'm
portant part which they always occupy
in Mongol worship.
Strangely enough. the nomad Mongols
have very few ceremoniOus rites and OBJ
servances unlike most semi-barbarous peo-
pies Wives are bought from parents by
go-between, for a stipulated number of
cattle, but excepting for a feast or some
common and totally unimpOrtant festival,
there is other complicated ceremony.
Similar simple observances characterize
such occasions as births and burials. The
remains of the dead, in accordance with
the Thibetan custom, are exposed on the
hillsides for several weeks, in spots
lected by the priests; if the body is rapidly
devoured by wild beasts and birds of prey,
the righteousness of the deceased is held to
be evident but if it remains long time
undevoured, his wickedness is proved.
AS rule the Mongols lack natural in
genuity and adroitness, although they
quickly learn when brought in contact with
Chinese or Thibetans. With the exception
of the yak-hair cloth, used for making
tents and few weapons and domestic
utensils, they manufacture nothing. de-
pending upon barter with the settled viii
lagos, and with Chinese traders, to furnish
them with the saddles, knives, swords,
matchlocks, kettles, ladies, ETC., which they
require.
AS has been mentioned before they are an
amiable and sociable people, and their
amusements are very numerous. Usually,
living under easy conditions of life. they
have a large amount of enjoyment; in fact,
far more than one would be led to believe
from a cursory study of their country and
customs. Some of their amusements
boisterous and even savage, such as wrest-
ling, boxing and sword and spear combats.
in which blood is not infrequently shed,
but they likewise have more peaceable
pastimes, including kind of polo" and
football. throwing the javelin, throwing at
a mark with sings, archery, and also
games for indoor amusement. Much time
is spent, especially after the evening meal,
in asking riddles, in rhyming, ETC.. and the
recital of songs and myths is also a pleas
ing diversion; while on special occasions
there is dancing.
STRONG COMMERCIAL INSTINCTS.
Backward in manufacture, and even
showing. on the whole, little capacity for
it, the Mongols are singularly alive to the
advantages of commerce and trade, and
takes a journey, were il only from one en-
campment to another, without taking with
him some object for exchange or sale, and
he will sooner chatter away the boots
his feet, or the horse on which he rides,
than return without having effected some
thing in the way of business. In this re-
spect. nomad and townsman. rich and poor,
are all alike: and their history shows that
this propensity is no less ancient than uni
versal in the race. Owing, however to the
want of variety in its productions. COM
bined with the scarcity of local manufac-
lures, the trade of this district east of the
Hoang-Ho, whether export or import, is
soon catalogued. Horses and sheep, hair
and wool, come first on the export list,
and, in reality, close the chapter of COM
MERGE so far as local produce is concerned.
Nor is the import much more diversified or
extensive, comprising cloth. sugar, iron
and metalware, a few arms, powder and
shot. and trinkets of no great value-such
are the customary acquisitions of the land.
Nor has any single Mongol. other than the
few mentioned in the larger towns, suffi-
cient available capital for extensive traffic
out or in; while the state of open warfare
or, at best armco neutrality, in which they
stand with the Chinese government and
consequently the lack of credit, would