The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-03
THIBET'S new
WOMAN SUPREME


While much mystery surrounds the
religious ceremonies in Thibet, despite
the recent revelations of Intrepid ex-
plorers, there is nothing hidden in the
practice of phase of life in the re-
mote country the strangeness of which
must startle us of America who are
prone. to- accord womankind the, fullest
privileges. From the standpoint of the
new woman Thibet leads the entire
world. go
Count Notovitch, the Russian trav-
eler, is responsible for the discovery,
and what he tells, from a Western
view, makes the regiorlFthe land of
the Ladakhs-one of the most remark
able spots in the world,
There exists in the faf-off out-of-the
way place community where woman
has supreme, unquestioned and impe-
rlous sway over man. These people in
habit territory covering an area of
10000 square miles, known as Middle
Th1bet, and the count, estimates the
population at 140, 900 souls.
The women of the Ladakh tribe. saws
Notovitch, are far in advance, both in
the physical graces and in intelligence,
of their semi civilized sisters of other
tribes and nations. While, as a rule.
they are below medium height, their
figures are of exquisite symmetry and
grace. The rareness of the mountain
air gives them an exceedingly clear
complexion. OF which they are proud.
/ They have eloquent mouths With ex-
ceilentrteeth, and their faces are con-
tinualiy' 7wfeathedsdwith smiles Their
disposition matches this make up be-
ing sunny and anliable, ,-sI.,,c. -. y,
i-Theyrare extremely neat and fond of
prinking. Though. on account of the
altitude, the climate is very rigorous,
they spend great deal of the time
bathing. In their costumes they show
charming inclination for the pic
turesque bizarre. They will often COM
abine filmy laoes and many hued fabrics
with handsome though somber. colored
furs in the most bewitching fashion.
They Know how to show off and
helghten their personal charms to adj
vantage, and are Unfortunately proud of
their dazzling white necks.
One would think that with such an
example the men would be the per-
=sonlf1cation of gallantry and rich in
physical favors, but the very opposite
is the case. Never was there tribe of
men whom nature has treated more
shabbily than the Ladakhs. She has
evidently used up all her nice material
on the women, and what odds and
ends were left have been utilized for
making the most absurd caricatures of
men.
Not a shadow of an Apollo is found
among them. They are thin, stunted,
often hunchbacked and have very
small heads, badly set on sloping shout
ders. Their weakened features are
grotesque, with high eheekbones, low
retreating foreheads, fiat nose, empha-
sized by an enormous mouth, with
thin lips. In the matter Of dress they
AFFECT painful Indifference. their gen.
era makeup n,i;1t suggesting dilapidated
shirt he may at once be Set down as
an ultra swell, as ttis0useful garment
Is totally unknown Save among the
rIch. The care bestow6d on their per-
sons may be better imagined than de-
Ser1bed, as Notovitch Says they never
wash except by compulsioin. There is
a severe law subjecting a man to heavy
lines If he does not wash himself at
least once a year! :.
subserv1ent to the, rule of the gentler
sex, The women dictate. the laws
which govern the community through
the. priests, who almost without ex-
ception are appointed by themselves.
:Fhey decide any questions that arise
from disputes regarding taxes or other
tributary measures enforced by law.
AL lHlS SelI-dSSertlVeneSS on the part
OF womankind among the Ladakhs
reaches its culminative point in poly
andry plurality of husbands), which is
practiced to the fullest extent among
these people. The men have little or
ne voice in the matter of courtship.
The young woman makes inquiries
ABOUT the standing of the family of
which her prospective husband is q
nlemner. Ii satisfactory. she notifies
the mother of her choice that she
chooses her son for "jingtuk" Qover)
consent is always readily obtained and
the marriage feast prepared. The man
IS IN duty bound to provide to the best
Of his ability for the family support.
A wife has the unquestioned preroga-
tive to take unto herself as many hus-
bands as she pleases
ls7-s Jealousy is something totally un-
known among these curious people, and
love In Its general acceptance Is to
them incomprehensible. The husbands.
FAR from resenting an addition to their
circle, greet a newcomer with unalloy-
ed joy. The most curious rites are OBJ
served when new husbalid has been
At early dawn the happy bridegroom.
accompanied by his prospective fellow
husbands, repairs to a place in the
mountains set aside forN these cere-
monies. AS many horses as there are
husbands are then killed by the offici-
ating priest. The hides of these ami