Imperial Valley press., 1936-11-29

asked us to rest while he thought of a way to
reach our destination. I drew several women
into conversation Through my interpreter who
took pride in explaining customs to mel, and
learned some curious things.
A MONG them were these
~ If a woman meets man upon the road
she at once turns aside and covers her mouth
with her hand, he need not breath the air
polluted by a womans breath.
Her cloth headgear is removed; she bows in
humble attitude, standing quietly until he has
passed her.
In the home the woman does the heavy work
which is seldom appreciated
The women themselves fascinated me. They
not beautiful in a conventional sense, for
their frank faces dsfgured by tattoong.
In marriage the woman is still known by
her maiden name or as the wife of "so-and-so."
She does not take her husbands name.
If she has a son, she later takes his name;
If she bears son, her husband is likely to
divorce her-since, of course, the gods are then
furnishing her for unguessed evil deeds.
Before the cold season settles, the women
are off to the forests to gather bark and fiber
of the elms, from which all thread for weaving
is made. If her husband can find horse, he
may accompany to supervise the labor; other
wise he rests at home. Since horses scarce
the husband usually takes a nap while she
walks miles for bark.
Our farmer returned, with his decision. He
had found two wagon wheels connected by
strip of wood. To this he attached the shafts
and if I could manage to hold to the narrow
seat-about ten inches wide-we would soon
reach the Kings City.
We started once again-this time a young
Ainu was going ahead of us to announce our
coming. foreign lady was riding to meet the
King!
- EFORE us, only missionary had ever en-
. tered the portals of that town. AS we ad-
vanced closer natives rushed from the city"
lining up to watch our passage
Out came the King himself, in regal robes
accompanied by officials.
We met him at the gates. We were saluted
and welcomed. The residence of the King was
at disposal.
noted that the Kings garments were similar
to those of his subjects, but touched with run
ming patterns of craft symbols. He headed his
official family toward the horses attached to my
wagon wheels.
At his side hung a priceless sword-as I
later learned, Damascus blade 100 years old.
He wore a crown of curled shavings from
pine wood, shaped to fit his head, twirled up in
'front.' very handsome
We followed to his establishment, which was
larger than other houses, but with not the least
protection from the biting wind. It was made
of long grass woven into squares, which were
set up and bound at the CORRESPONDING the
side of the house.
I saw no chimneys-just an opening in the
roof above a hole in the floor where fires are
lighted. The smoke does escape, after almost
binding the owner.
A platform extends around three sides of the
room, used as a sleeping place for the entire
family Bedding consisted of straw mating, also
used for covering.
low they lived and thrived in that freezing
climate especially at night) I have no
idea.
One mysterious window faced east-and this
was dedicated to the gods. 1t was sacred no
one was permitted to gaze from 1t into the
fields. Nor can anyone look into the room from
the outside through this window of the gods
The decorations near the window were strange
offerings to farm gods-not food, just group
of whitfield sticks. Clusters of shavings were
stripped to half way point IN pine stick
then left there to please the Ainu gods.
My Ainu friends hardy of body-the
King little taller than the rest they were not
savage. To me they were cordial kindly and
thoughtful
At last dined with king-and king Of
Anus is a person who few travellers meet. I
had been entertained by other kings of other
kingdoms, but the Anu King of the Kings
City proved an accomplished host, interested in
hearing of the outside world, and interesting In
his accounts of his own people