The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-01-11

ness the Japanese transition from pic
turesque garments to frock coats and
top hats, expanding commerce levels
and gradually does away with oddi-
ties. Returned missionaries, explor-
ers and those who travel in out of the
way regions of the globe keep constant
ly bringing back tales of the strange
ways much of mankind still have with
their guests.
With the Apingi tribe Of Africa just
below the equator the essence of hos
pitality is to include among the pres
ents of food handed over to the visi-
tor a fat slave. He Is young and
tender" the donor says. thinking that
no one can fail to approve of this
gift, so much better than the fowls,
etc, that have been thrown in. XIII
him for your evening meal" On the
other hand, the Navajo Indian consid-
ers the finest tribute he can pay is
to have his wife shampoo the head of
the passing traveller with amOle, the
root of a plant grown in Mexico and
some parts of the southwest, that is
a very good substitute for soap. The
Papuans of New Guipea in the Pacific
have an even more novel way of show
ing great friendship for the stranger.
Water signifies peace and satisfaction
with them, so when a BOAT approaches
bearing people of whom they approve
at first sight they sprinkle water on
their heads and dance wildly and gayly
In Tho CholInur urotnr orO,,nI tho hNot
The average traveller would much
rather not become friends with a Ter
ra del Fuegian, for the people Of that
nationality know of no better way of
expressing liking and showing honor
than by hugging the stranger. AS
these sayages of the tip end of South
America are very nearly the dirtiest
on record, and as their bodies are
covered with grease, clay and vermin,
such hugging is most offensive. 1t is
not to be avoided, though. if any ma
tive of high rank takes a strong liking
to his visitor.
There is a Siberian tribe that makes
a practice Of eating a guest whom it
much admires or whose ziItues 1t
greatly desires to emulate, in order,
so the story goes, that his virtues
might abide-"in their midst" The
tourist, however, is, generally speak
ing, safe in this R~ussianiZed country.
II he visits the Tchuktchi close to
Behring'S straits and gets into one of
their big tents he will find a family
almost completely nude. The women
will not mind at all. If he passes
muster they will honor him and make
him feel at home by putting strings
of glass beads in their hair that has
been ~copiously covered with grease.
Then, of course. having been shown
this courtesy, he must stay in the
smoky. sitting atmosphere and sup on
hot boiled reindeer.
The visitor to an Abyssinian village
must first sit under a tree and let
himself be observed. Then some i'm
portant individual will step forward
and give him the freedom of his home.
The Ashangos meet the traveller with
dishes of red paint, and the man who
does not paint himself at once is defin-
itely "queered" in that village. The
Zunis of New Mexico and Arizona Of
fer their guests a cocktail" 1t Is
made Of mesquite beans pounded IN
an earthen jar, parched corr snd flour,
and is reported to be Q .ery superior
appetizer.
The black Batokas Of the Zambesi
roll on their back and deal themselves
resounding slaps on their naked skins
, If the rolling is prolonged and the
! slaps and the attendant yelling very
loud the guest is high in favor. Some
!, New Zealanders squat or the ground
and weep. The Nubians wait anxious
| " for the coming visitor and are Gag
: err to entertain. A jar of fresh water
IS always ready In each house OF the
' tribe for the stranger and no n else
The Kafirs assure each white visitor
t that he ranks as a chief and make
good in the way they entertain him.
! An extraordinary custom prevails
1 among one South Sea nation. 1t al
e lows, as a great favor, It's ~superannuat
ed men and women 70 invite as thei
u guests for a final feast those who vii
make a meal Of them when they ar
e killed. This is a novelty In the wa.
: or banouets. The hospitable GAM o
t Africa have strangers met by the vii
lage chief. He heads a procession o
d his councillors and women. One o
,, the women carries n white chicken
S another a plant with flowers growini
e on 1t, yet others vessels Of intcxsca'
{ ing liquids.