Travels in the regions of the upper and lower Amoor : and the Russian acquisitions on the confines of India and China with adventures among the Mountain Kirghis; and the Manjours, Manyargs, Toungouz, Touzemtz, Goldi, and Gelyaks: the Hunting and Pastoral tribes / by Thomas Witlam Atkinson.

  • Thomas Witlam Atkinson
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Travels in the regions of the upper and lower Amoor : and the Russian acquisitions on the confines of India and China with adventures among the Mountain Kirghis; and the Manjours, Manyargs, Toungouz, Touzemtz, Goldi, and Gelyaks: the Hunting and Pastoral tribes / by Thomas Witlam Atkinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    85/600 page 65
    in my work on Oriental and Western Siberia, I shall not repeat it. The festival continued for seven days, during which other Sultans and Kirghis were constantly arriving. It was supposed that near 2,000 people assembled to assist at this funeral. On the eighth day the Sultan was interred. Ilis body was taken from the yourt in the clothing in which it had lain — another cloth was wrapped around it, and then it was placed on a camel, by which he was carried to the tomb. The chair of state was borne before him on another camel, and two of the Sultanas favourite horses formed part of the procession, being led immediately after the body. After these came his wives, daughters, and the women of his tribe, chanting the funeral hymn, in which the mullas and a vast number of the men joined — swelling the mournful strain into a mighty chorus, which was heard far over the plain. On reaching the tomb the body was placed in the grave, when the mullas recited prayers, and told of the great deeds of the departed. While this was performing, the two horses were killed, and interred on each side of their late master. After which the graves were filled up, and the procession returned to the aoul, to partake of another grand funeral banquet. One hundred horses and 1,000 sheep were slain to do honour to the deceased Sultan. AVhen the women returned, they entered the yourt, and chanted their mournful dirge for an hour before the pile of arms, horse trappings, and apparel which had belonged to the departed. After which, all the family assembled before the dwelling, and were joined by the Sultans and chiefs who had attended to do honour to the memory of Darma Syrym. This great festival Avas continued for several days after the funeral, until the people gradually left for their homes. By the tri])e it Avas kept up a long time, and the chanting Avas repeated at sunrise and sunset during a Avhole year. F
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3