The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1922-09-14
Street Scene In Patan, Nepar.

prepared by the National Geographic 80.
ciety, Washington, D. c.
Nepal, in which is situated much Of
Mt. Everest, the worlds highest pin
nacle, which Is now being attacked
scientific expedition, is the true "her
nit kingdom" Of today. The govern.
ment purposely keeps the roads which
lead from India to Napal in bad con
dition, and travellers are admitted to
but n small valley, and then only
for special reasons upon a difficulty
obtained permit.
This kingdom which holds itself so
aloof from the world Is q narrow strip
Of country about 100 miles wide and
800 miles long, extending for nearly
q third of the distance between India
and Tibet along the sky-piercing
Himalayas. On the south 1t includes
a very narrow strip Of plains country,
but predominantly 1t is a mountain
u region. In fact, its possession of
Mt. Everest and some Of the other
of the highest mountains in the world
give 1t claim, in one sense at least, to
be the most mountainous Of countries.
The Nepalese are a fighting people,
have an excellent army n organiza-
ton, and are fond of show, both In
military display and in their religious
festivals. The latter are very numer-
ous, and in fact seem to be intermin-
able. The women take a prominent
part In most of them.
Some of the semi-military pageants
end in the massacre of hundreds OF
buffaloes. In one such ceremony,
known as the blessing Of the %colors,
the commander In chief dips his hands
in a bowl of blood and clasps each
banner In turn, thus imprinting on
each the mark of bloody hands. The
scene is somewhat revolving, but prob
ably has its use in keeping up a mar
tial spirit In the army.
VoIuminous Dresses Of Women.
The Nepalese ONE wear yards
upon yards-sometimes as many as a
hundred-of fine muslin plated to
form a huge fan-shaped bunch in front,
the back being quite tight. When a
lady of rank drives in her barouche
she completely fills the carriage with
her voluminous skirt Of brilliant hue.
Above the skirt q vivid little tight-ht-
ting jacket, usually Of velvet, is worn;
the hair is dressed in a peculiar knot
In front, above the forehead, and fas-
tened to one side by an enormous gold
plaque with a jeweled center. A
heavy gold necklace and gold bangles
complete her jewelry. Every imag-
Unable shade is used-purple pale
blue, green, carmine, orange, white,
turquoise, and deep red-and
the effect is wonderful.
At the time of state ceremonies the
streets are filled with professions OF
elephants in gorgeous trappings,
horses and ponies, brilliant military
uniforms, and the usual crowd Of
good-natured, pleasure-loving people,
the whole against the background Of
the old temples and natural surround
Ings making a wonderful spectacle.
The journey into Nepal is not an
one. At first there is q track
through the forest, but as soon as the
outer hills are reached the road loses !,
tself In the bed of q stream, up which s
he bearers pick their way with diff |
.ulty over and among great boulders. I
The official road finally goes over the
cry rough track across the Chandra-
yiri pass and down the almost i'm f
,assable road on the other side into /
he Nepal valley. The last portion
# the descent is down a long stair v
ase OF roughly-placed blocks of stone, '
nd 1t is marvellous how the laden men q
nd ponies keep their footing on 1T. t
In the NepaI Valley. Y
From the foot of the pass an excel n
ent carriage road into the town OF t
lhatmandu runs through the valley t
with people, towns, palaces, s
and innumerable shrines.
are miles Of such good carriage e
Dads within the valley, mostly con- a
in Jung Bahadur's time, and s.
arriages and pairs, and occasionally g
four-in-hand are constantly used by t.
le palace people. II
In this valley, where the shrines d
are said 10 number more than il
700, the buildings present an amaz Ell