WILD TRIBES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 167, 8 March 1932, Page 2

WILD TRIBES

PRIMITIVE LIFE STRANGE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CHINA LIVE APART A GIPSY RACE In the ,wild recesses of the "Southern Mountains" of the province of Chehkiang, a strange and peculiar people are to be found. They oecupy tljie unproductive mountain land, and are scattered in hamlets along tbe ridges and rocks. The epithet applied to them .by the comparatively rich, proud, Chinese neighbours, who possess. the lowlands, clearly show how exceedingly they are despised. . It may be they are the descendants of the wild. tiibes of the West of China. Many of these came over to the province during the commotions attending the subversion of the Mongol dynasty. The "Thunderers" is the designation adopted by one of the largest families of the tribe. Another family goes by the name of the "Talented," These tribes domicile in bamboo huts perched in the high recesses. There they iive in grand isolation amidst wild and romantic scenery. For a living, the mountain sides are cultivated with Indian corn, sweet potatoes and vegetables. Like G{P-sies Some sections of the family travel about like gipsies. Th.e women tell fortunes, and are experts in the occult art. Boxing, quackery, and juggling are practised by tbe men, and they transmit the profession from generation to generation. The women, who have big feet, do most of the hard work and drudgery of the fields. They cut wood, carry water, and bear the heavy burdens with the bamboo pole across the shoulder. These people have a lariguage of their own, and tbe dress is distinctive, particularly that of the women. The upper garment is a tunic tied about the waist with a sash of embroidered tape. Short pants are worn, and straw sandals for tbe feet. The head is bound with a band, but, on festive occasions, they don a "crown." This is a very striking head-dress, fringed with tassels and deqked with jade and heads. In the centre it bulges out, giving the appearance of the face of an animal. The Chinese nickname it the "dog's head cap." Bracelets are worn, and a fringe of tape round the ankles, which serves as a charm. The fingers are adorned with silver rings, while the ears are hooked with ornaments shaped like a trumpet. The embroidery work is done by the women, who also make most of their own clothes. A legend has grown around these people which indicates that the Chinese regard them them as a distinct and degraded race. Strange Legend In olden times, it runs, a eertain Emperor was taken seriously ill, and he employed a dog to heal him of his trouble. This canine friend succeeded in curing the disease, and tbe Emperor, in gratitude, gave him bis daughtor in marriage. The sequence was, the dog metamorphosed himself into a man. In due time, children were born, and these tribal people are supposed to be the descendants. There is a common phrase in Chinese — ^'Hog born; dog nourished." It is a term of contempt, and is often used to reproach people who happen to differ from tbem in language, habit, and custom. Such fables and myths are common among tbe Orientals. When China New Year comes round, the tribal people bring in the dogs to share the festal rejoicings. A feast is spread on the ground, and while the dogs are devouring the food an interesting little ceremony is performed. • Incense is burnt in profusion, and tbe family name is written on a large piece of paper. This is consigned to the fire and sent up in a flame. The ashes are then carefully scraped together in a bag and placed on a niche under the family sbrine. After a good deal of bowing, they are supposed to be ready to "pa.ss over the year" with the hope that lucky days will favour them with bountiful crops.