The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and (14598017360)

Identifier: worldsinhabitant00bett (find matches)
Title: The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), 1850-1891
Subjects: Civilization Culture
Publisher: London Ward, Lock
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto



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ng ^^^- devoured with gusto. Betel-chewing and tobacco-smoking are practised by all. Polygamy is largely in vogue; but the first wife has a special posi-tion. Purchase is the form preceding marriage ; and adultery may be. punished by death. From this it will be inferred that womenare not well treated by their husbands, who not unfrequentlybeat them. Slavery for debt here includes possession of the wives andfamily of the debtor, who may also be sold. Buddhism in a rather loose form is the predominant religion ; butwith it flourishes much paganism, including ancestor-worship. Indeed, „ ,^ . much of their religion differs little from the Shamanism ofReligioiL , . . ^ Siberian natives. Exorcists and astrologers abound. Burial rites are very complex, great respect being paid to the dead. The greatest care is taken to prevent desecration of the body, which is placed in a coffin as rich as can be afforded, and often kept for months before i THE SIAMESE, COCHIN CHINESE, CAMBODIANS, ETC. 349
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XAJIVKS OF ANNAil. burial. The cliarms of sorcerers are considered all-powerful, ^^^^^^^^.^and are largely bought; the details of tlieir i^ractices are most 35° THE INHABITANTS OF ASIA. elaborate. Tigers or serpents are, among others, beasts of ill-omen;and ghosts and spirits are believed to be universally present. It is inaccordance with this state of superstition that Christian missionaries havebeen greatly persecuted. In recent years, however, the Romanist priests Christian have gained better treatment, even beyond the French border,missionaries. \^^ consequence of the threats of the French authorities, asto punishment in case of any harm befalling the priests. In the districts approaching China, Chinese influence is naturally greater, and a large proportion of the Tonkinese people are a cross between Tjjg Cochin-Chinese, or Annamese, and Chinese. They partake of Tonkinese. the defects of both, lacking the Chinese stability and industry.They do not cut or shave their hair, which t