Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-03
REMOTE AND FORB|DD|NG
TIBET GIVES UP SECRETS
Ncv. II. Is. Marx, Missionary, Re-
turns With Valuable Collection
OF Articles and Weapons.
COUNTRY is MYSTERIOUS
Little Is Known Of Inhabitants
Through Their Animosity to tho
Outside World and the strict
Closing OF Borders.


NEW YORK. oct Out of Tibet
The secret, remote and forbidding.
there has come TO US treasure.
freight TO which clings poignant
and somewhat sinister atmosphere OF
oriental mystery and barbarism. once
again has been lifted n little corner
ot the vast curtain OF silence behind
which the strange and colorful drama
Oi Tibet goes ON. and we have been
given a vivid revelation OF life in the
secluded land.
often before, missionaries return
ing from far-on countries have
brought back costumes. weapons and
Implements which have thrown light
on the customs and culture OF the
people who had made them. Ana now
again n misSiOnary-thc Rev ~. u.
Marx for sixteen years attached Ia
Moravian mission on the Indian side
OF the Tihctan bordcr-br!nEs yiich
a collection--larse. and rich in va-!-
"ty and interest. Through funds pro-
9idcd by Mr.. j. l.. Morgan. the col
lection has been secured for the
American Museum OF Natural History
IN Ne" York City. and has already
been placed on exhibition and exam
med by many visitors
Collection shows Customs
There arc over 230 pieces in the
new Tibctan collection. and they
cover probably every phaso of rho
ne OF Tibet. There are native cos
'"'n.S-thc mems consisting OF Il
lnali4 hat trimmed with ARTIFICIAL
ho"crs. ionS wooden gown. shawl and
o"it, coarsc wooden trousers and shoes
Win heavily fclted solcs. The wo-
mems civil dress is much the same.
our Includes great brass pins and
silver filigrce ornaments set with
thrruoiscs and coral. There are
arg" earrings and finger rings also
~ silver and set with ;urQuolscs.
ihc necklaces made o. very large
Z. MI
az" worn Az ornaments, but have also
rcHfIous Significance. For their
I"'orH are recognized as sy!nbollcal
IN some parts OF Tibe, there arc
three, in other parts nv" colors rccor-
"i"'' as symbols yellow for tho
1artn' blue FOR the water: red Cor
, ,, ana warmth; green for tho
winu' ana white for the clouds, or
49,, Masks "r Human skulls.
u" iiNr culors ar" used in the
'.nnotate costumes Of the Devil DAN
ra. anu IN the masks used IN the
.i'ihhhIcs ior driving away demons
~ these, "rodran," the nvc-skulI
mask Is especially celebrated and
.H''"H' n" nv" skulls Surmountine
"" mas. ar" supposed 20 be the
EhH!is o! slain enemies. trophies OF
IN. DcE!l Dancer, who represents \
warrior o! the old Tibctau my,hol
osE Also great religious signi-
lance ar" IA" "dorJc," and the ''dori.
hesc are powerful Weapons for the
"forcism OF demons. They are hurled
INTO IN" ground by the lamas. or holy
men TO whom they are the most
objects
KcEaltn made o. human bones.
carved claborat"ly. ''potted lamas."
made or clay and crushed lama
amuiets AID charms against bad
dreams and fears in the dark. sick
ness, and the sno"leopard and wolf.
prayer wheels and ShcaYcs OF praycr-
icaSss: buddhist idols: dice for use
IN diNindt!on; sacred temple banners:
these arc among the religious objects
collected hy Mr., Marx. Supplemented
by what We know OF Tibetan rclici-
oH- practices they Invoke a striking
picture OF The sacred temples the
pilSrimaG"s and sacrifices. the self
inflicted Notifications. and the great
iciSions communities In which the
lamas. living thousands strong as in
q vast, hhrbaric monastery, carry on
their weird traditions and cercmo-
MEG.
Wnr Weapons Are Poisoned.
or weapons there are in the col
lection daSEcrs and sabrcs. ancient
bows and arrows. and poisoned nipple
nents OF War and the hunt And
there is a-hcavy Tibetan gun. with
rs attached rest on which the Tihetan
always supports his gun when nrinE
The spark for shooting on the gun
IL struck from the finder box The
favored Of all his gods must be that
r!bctan who is able To hit a moving
Target by means OF this clumsy fire.
arm.
Harness and tranpings for their
horses. drums and bells are also in
Guided in the Tihctan military outiit.
There also belongs tho imitation
skull. trimmed with artificial teeth
and long hair. In which tho warrior
catches the blood OF his slain enemy.
which hr drinks to gain new vigor
FOR the fight.
In his caimer moments. the Tibet
ans savage breast is charmed by the
strains OF his primitive guitar and
thrcc-Str!nScd banjo. the double fute
OF reed or BAN boo, and the oboe,
which is particularly the instrument
OF the hcEEar. And for his enjoy.
meni he has fashioned pipes for
through water) and opium. These
are all represented in the new col
lection in the American Museum. ne
are also books in commercial and the
more ornate classical Tibetan writ
ing. and the first Tibctan ncwsn,ner
which was printed on Tho oh N;..is